Shed 1 Distillery From Gin to Gel And Other News

Hello All,

Hope you're doing well and finding ways through this challenging time.

We're Shed 1 Distillery, Andy and Zoe Arnold-Bennett and we opened The Old Calf Shed in October 2019, 3 years after we launched our business in our garden shed.

When lockdown came we were asked if we could produce hand sanitiser for our local hospice. Within a couple of weeks we'd launched a crowdfunding page and had started our gin to gel production! Up to now we've raised £6,500+ and gifted sanitiser to charities, voluntary organisations, NHS, Council, care homes, carers and others across Cumbria. More than 5,000 bottles have been distributed and we will continue for as long as we have funds.

Alongside this we are still producing gin (and gin marmalde) and we've even launched a new, interactive, product. Shed 1 Distillery’s Make Your Own Bath Tub Gin Tin! It includes 10 high quality botanicals, an information and recipe booklet plus a link to a How-To video featuring us. We talk you through the process so that you can create your very own signature gin at home. With the Premium option you can book a 30 minute live feed with us. More information can be found in the online shop.

But that's not all!

At the beginning of the year we applied for a very special license. Then lockdown happened and it was put on hold. Now, we are pleased to announce that our Distillery and The Old Calf Shed Bar are approved WEDDING VENUES! Where better for gin lovers to tie the knot than in an actual distillery? We hope to be able to welcome our first couples in the Summer of 2021, but we will continue to check guidelines..

As for our hand sanitiser, we're getting a lot of queries about it from individuals and companies, so we are just putting the finishing touches to our Shed 1 Distillery Hand Sanitiser. It will be presented in glass bottles with an atomiser dispenser and part of each sale will be donated to charity through our Marmalade Fund.

The lockdown has been very difficult for everyone, and we really appreciate all the support we have had. It also continues to be a positive experience being able to help where we can. For now, the Shed remains closed but we continue to produce gin and offer local delivery and Click & Collect for all our products. We are also looking at how to open in the future, and we think we may have an interesting plan! Watch this space.