Turnover is brimming for craft gin business after mentoring

By Boost Business Lancashire

01 Oct 2019

A Fylde-based gin distillery has seen a twelve-fold growth in turnover in just 12 months after receiving help from Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme.

Award-winning small-batch gin distillery Sandgrown Spirits has increased revenue from £10,000 to £120,000 and has appointed an assistant distiller and events coordinator as well as a part-time sales executive.

Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme helped the firm’s founder Sara Dewhurst succeed in getting the craft gin into Booths Supermarket, along with a number of other reputable independent retailers.

Meanwhile, production continues to ramp up month on month, with the award-winning gin now available in more than 100 outlets across Lancashire. The business has now outgrown its current location and is moving into a larger industrial unit to facilitate further growth and enable the company to achieve bonded warehouse status..

Sara was introduced to Boost in 2018. After meeting with an Orvia advisor which delivers Boost’s Mentoring programme, she was assigned to mentor Louise Owen, who advised her on how to sustainably grow her business.

Sara said: “Louise offered advice on routes to market, how to target high-end retailers and get noticed by buyers, as well as managing cash flow and business growth. We’ve now won several awards and our gin is widely stocked by high-end retailers including Booths Supermarkets.”

Co-founded in 2018, Sandgrown Spirits produces small-batch craft gins under the brand name of Lytham Gin.  Each gin is inspired by Lytham and the Fylde coast and uses locally foraged botanicals. Sara is a chemistry graduate and former teacher and has a particular interest in organic molecules, which give gin its distinctive flavour.

Her husband and co-founder Paul has a background in manufacturing processes and systems after working for one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world.

Sara said: “Together we came up with the idea around Christmas 2017 and within four months we began producing gin which was soon stocked by local bars, restaurants and hotels. In June 2018, we secured orders from Royal Lytham Golf Club and by the autumn had created a bespoke gin named Royal Lytham Gin using botanical ingredients found on the golf course,” she added.

“The business grew faster than expected, recording a turnover of almost £10,000 in the first two months of trading. As a result, we needed support to help ensure the correct facilities, processes and structures were in place to cope rising demand and production requirements.”

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Sara’s assigned Boost mentor Louise Owen provided her with 12 hours of one-to-one mentoring. 

Louise was also involved in reviewing the firm’s growth plans, including cash flow, branding and marketing to help Sandgrown Ventures reach independent stores and supermarkets.

Sara added: “Louise has lots of experience in the food and drink industry and she really challenged me to think about what I wanted and how to go about achieving my goals. Lytham Gin now has five varieties of gin as well as two bespoke gins.”

 “With such rapid growth in demand and production, we are moving to a 2000 sq ft industrial unit where we can set up a larger distillery with office space, a factory shop and tasting room. We aim to move into the new premises and be established there in time for the Christmas rush.”

Louise said: “Sara has a huge amount of talent, energy, drive and enthusiasm. Like many small business owners, she was busy wearing all the business hats and therefore it was important to ensure growth was well managed to maintain consistency of product quality, service, and production levels.”

Louise added: “My mentoring with Sara covered all areas of the business and particularly accessing working capital funding to support the significant rate of business growth, managing the rate of growth and protecting Intellectual Property.”

Ann Lancaster, operations manager at Orvia, added: “It’s really great to see the rapid growth in Sara’s business and the launch of her products into our local prestigious supermarket. The fact that Sara sources her botanicals locally provides a unique aspect to the gin and her ability to produce specific flavours for her customers provides differentiation in the marketplace.”

Latest news

1

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid inspired-500x500.png

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid

23 Apr 2025

2

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire. Thompsons meeting (1).png.png

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire.

22 Apr 2025

3

Business academies to continue for an additional year Cllr Mark Smith (r) with Top Gun Tools & Fixings team presenting Blackpool Net Zero Academy certificate

Business academies to continue for an additional year

22 Apr 2025

4

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates Richard Robinson Feat IMG

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates

22 Apr 2025

5

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors Promotions at Farleys Solicitors

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin