Silver Surfers Cheshire

www.silverlivingmagazine.co.uk 4 We are family run and thrive on customer satisfaction. We offer bespoke packages whatever your occasion is. • Hot Buffets • Fine Dining • Cocktail Bars • Cold Buffets • Canapes C atering C ompany L td M M M Tel: 0161 723 1990 Email : enquiry@manchestercateringcompany.com Web: www.manchestercateringcompany.com BRITAIN has a taste for gin. We just can’t get enough of it, with sales of the spirit hitting a staggering 73m bottles last year. UK gin sales and exports were worth more than £2.7bn in 2018, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. And growing ranks of independent gin makers are playing their part in the success story. Gin is flourishing. Stockport Gin has received international awards, business awards nominations and expanded its range with the launch of its very own Pink Edition. The company was launched in March by husband and wife team Paul and Cheryl Sharrocks. Their original tipple, a citrus forward London Dry Gin, achieved a Bronze Medal Award at the International Wine and Spirits Competition just four months later. Paul says: “We were absolutely delighted with this award. We get lots of feedback from people who have tried our gin saying how much Just the tonic they love it which obviously means a great deal to us, but to be recognised on an international level by experts in the industry was a real boost and something we are very proud of.” Stockport Gin is now stocked in more than 50 locations in and around Stockport as well as in both Selfridges’ Manchester Stores. Black Powder is another award-winner. The company began life a decade ago and has gone from strength to strength alongside the huge gin boom. “The number of flavours it produces has grown and the business also runs its own events at its distillery. Managing director Tony Dalnas says the aim is to grow the business further, tapping into the interest in the drink and how it is made. He says: “People are very keen on provenance and that is really important to us. They are also really intrigued by the history of gin. “It is a great business to be involved in but there is a lot of competition. If you haven’t got a