Challenging trading conditions force London indie merchant to close
London wine retailer Philglas & Swiggot has announced it is set to close its doors for the last time next month blaming increasingly challenging trading conditions as well as the “additional complexities of Brexit”.
The retailer posted a statement on LinkedIn yesterday announcing its closure on 16 March, calling it a “very difficult decision” after 30 years of trading.
“From our first shop on Northcote Road in 1991 to our Marylebone location and beyond, it has been an absolute joy to serve London’s wine lovers—whether in-store, online, or through our private client and en primeur services,” it said. “Sadly, increasingly challenging trading conditions and the additional complexities of Brexit have made it impossible for us to continue.”
It offered a heartfelt thank you to its team for their dedication, as well as its loyal customer base for the “support, laughter, and shared love of great wine over the years”.
“It has truly been an unforgettable journey,” it said.
Philglas & Swiggot opened in Battersea’s Northcote Road n 1991, adding branches in Richmond in 2001 and Marylebone in 2005, although the Richmond branch later closed. In December 2014, it was bought by Justin Knock MW and his business partner Damien Jackman along with a consortium of investors from across the trade in December 2014 before being acquired by Irish family business O’Briens Wine in November 2018. O’Briens Wine was founded in 1973 and grew to operate 30 stores across the Republic of Ireland. Philglas & Swiggot was managed by Marcus O’Brien and Neil McAndrew, with director Lynne Coyle MW overseeing the wine range.
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Commenting on the announcement, Justin Knock MW, who was aslo its head of fine wine for six years, called it extremely sad news. He said that while operating a fine wine retailer in London was “an amazing experience” it was also very hard work and full of challenges.
“I learnt more about the London wine trade in those four years than I did in the previous ten,” he said on LinkedIn. “We had great moments, tastings and dinners, I know we continued the spirit of irreverence that was a feature of Philglas & Swiggot from the beginning. Yet it is a business with endless costs and demands and fights in a market spoiled for choice and options.”
“It is it has been an institution on Northcote Road and Clapham Junction in particular, and we should all be glad for the thousands of enjoyable memories and occasions it helped the people of south London find through the best years of their lives,” he said.
Amended to add in acquisition of the business by O’Briens Wine in November 2018.
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Really sad…Karen Rogers and I worked together at O&Y Canary Wharf Ltd. before she and her husband set up Philglass & Swiggott (a name reminiscent of Dickens or Trollope characters and, ‘Oh, so apropos’.)
Exceptional wines, Justin and all!
I shan’t get started on the Brexit issue…