Manchester Gin reveals new distillery plans

Manchester Gin plans to open a city centre distillery in Manchester this year, complete with a new bar and restaurant on site.

Based on Watson Street, the distillery will sit directly underneath Manchester Central, a conference and events venue. The team will be renovating six of the grade II star listed railway archways, aiming to regenerate an area of the city.

Subject to planning approval the venue will launch in the summer and the new home of Manchester Gin will be 5,300 square feet. The move to this bigger location will allow the company to start making gin in a new 1,000 litre still and the distillery will also host tutorials, talks, masterclasses and give visitors the opportunity to create their own gin.

Seb Heeley, co-founder of Manchester Gin, said: “It’s been an ambition of ours, since we started in our dining room, to give people the ability to come and meet us and see how we make our beautiful gins in person. The arches under Manchester Central will be the perfect mix of the old industrial heritage of Manchester with a contemporary look synonymous with our brand.”

Shaun Hinds, chief executive of Manchester Central, added: “Since joining the business 18 months ago, I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to activate our arches and reinvigorate this part of the venue. In getting to know Seb and Jen from Manchester Gin, I have been impressed with their vision for their business which in many ways matches the ambition of Manchester Central and the city as a whole. 

"As an iconic feature of the city ourselves, I knew early on that this development would create a unique destination within the realm of our venue for both Manchester residents and visitors alike. We’re delighted to be part of the next chapter for this tremendous local business.”