Stratford business centre raises a glass to local gin company
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Shakespeare Distillery is an artisan spirit producer that was established in 2015 and has built a strong reputation thanks to director Peter Monks and distiller Simon Picken.
Based in Stratford-upon-Avon, they create a range of gins – the first of which was Stratford Gin but has now extended to other popular flavours Mulberry, Rhubarb and Elderflower & Quince.
Shakespeare Distillery officially opened its doors to the public for the very first time in 2019 after moving to new premises in Stratford-upon-Avon. Prior to this, the business began to outgrow its premises on the Alscot Estate and needed a new home for its expanding business. Because of a lack of space, it was proving increasingly difficult to host meetings at the business and bring in some of its ideas.
So, while they set about looking for a new home, the distillery took up the hotdesking facilities at Venture House Business Centre on a short-term basis.
Peter Monks said: “While we were looking for a new facility, we needed somewhere that we could not only work, but also host business meetings and Venture House in Stratford seemed like it was definitely the perfect fit for us.
“You can pay for hotdesking as you go, so it really is extremely flexible, but there was so many other facilities that you can also access at Venture House such as meeting areas, chill out zones and free Wi-Fi which are great added extras.
“It was exactly what we were looking for as a temporary space and one that we would recommend.”
Venture House is Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s business centre which opened on the Avenue Farm Industrial Estate in Birmingham Road in 2016 after receiving £450,000 of funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).
One thing that did surprise the Shakespeare Distillery team was all the other benefits of making Venture House their temporary base.
It became a valuable tool in the progression of the company as they made connections with other hotdeskers, went along to events such as Donut Time business networking, and made use of the drop-in advice sessions run by Venture House partner, the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub.
These general advice sessions then led to introductions to other partners who were able to directly assist with funding and ultimately the relocation and expansion of the business.
Venture House aims to provide the type of facilities and services that entrepreneurs and new businesses just starting out want and need. It also supports micro-businesses making their first move into commercial premises and more established businesses in need of short-term office space as well as homeworkers and university students needing flexible workspace.
It offers free business advice and support, workshops and networking, a staffed reception, free on-site parking and a secure cycle shed, Wi-Fi, refreshment facilities, a Chill Zone and lockers.