Darlington Little Quaker Distillery announces closure of venue

The Little Quaker Distillery was launched in Darlington’s Clark’s Yard in October 2018 by husband and wife team Paul and Leanne Colman.

It went on to win more than a dozen industry awards including being named UK Gin Distillery of the Year in the Corporate LiveWire Global Awards in April this year.

The distillery has also been shortlisted for Business of the Year in The Northern Echo’s annual awards scheme for 2022.

But after deciding they want to spend more time with their family and seeing their bills forecast to rise massively, Paul and Leanne have decided to call time on their business which will close on November 5.

Read more: Immigration officers raid Darlington restaurant and arrest a 51-year-old man

In a statement, the couple said: “This is a post we hoped we would never have to write.

Little Quaker Gin Distillery (Image: Northern Echo)

“We have taken the decision to cease trading from November 5, going out with a bang whilst we are at the top.

“Over the last four years we have taken an acorn of a dream and turned it into a six figure turnover business winning 14 major industry awards including UK Gin Distillery of the Year and having a gin that has won more industry awards than any other gin in the North East.

“We’ve had an absolute blast and achieved things beyond our wildest dreams – only this week we found out we have been short-listed for North East Business of the Year with The Northern Echo.

“Unfortunately we need to make some changes for our family and our sakes.

“Working full-time whilst running a business like ours has taken its toll and it’s time for a change.

Paul Colman of the Little Quaker Gin Distillery (Image: Northern Echo)

“We have looked at the business model and can see that things look bleak for the future and we always said we would never run the business into the ground and field the stresses that go with running up debts.

“So going out on top before things turn bad feels right.”

The couple went on to say that over the last six months they have noticed that footfall in the yards has ‘dwindled’.

After starting in a ‘blaze of glory’, the couple says that Darlington’s yards are not being maintained like they used to, with signage not being replaced and the initial ‘buzz’ around the area subsiding.

Rising bills is also a factor in the couple’s decision to close.

Little Quaker Gin Distillery Picture: Alexa Fox (Image: Northern Echo)

They said: “The energy crisis is hitting hard and we have seen our electricity bill increase 467 per cent.

“We have been informed the water rates are going up 330 per cent a month and our rent has gone up 25 per cent this year.

“And we’ve been informed that our next order of glass bottles will be 40 per cent more expensive.

“With all this in mind we can see what the future would hold and recognise it’s now time to exit stage left.”

The couple thanked all their customers and local businesses for their support and added: “For now it’s time to turn the lights off one last time; thank you and goodbye.”

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