Kent’s leading drinks producer Chapel Down is to open a bar, restaurant and ‘gin works’ in King’s Cross

Kent’s leading drinks producer Chapel Down is to open a bar, restaurant and ‘gin works’ in King’s Cross.

The news comes as the company announces that its year-on-year sales have risen by 15 per cent to £5.72m in the six months to 30 June 2018 compared to £4.98m in the same period last year.

The new site by the Regent’s Canal, which will open subject to planning and licencing permission, will be called ‘Chapel Down Gin Works’ and include an experiential bar, restaurant and ‘ginnery.’

The Gin Works is 38 minutes by train from nearby St. Pancras International to the company’s new brewery in Ashford (due to open in March 2019) and a further 20 minutes from its winery and vineyards at Tenterden.

Chapel Down has also exchanged on a lease agreement on 388 acres of viticultural land, meaning that it will have the potential to produce up to one million bottles of wine a year, making it the largest vineyard of any English wine producer.

Frazer Thompson, chief executive, commented: “We have been very encouraged by the results of our Chapel Down gin and vodka launch. In a crowded marketplace, we have a distinctive product, beautifully packaged and well priced.

“We have seen success not only in top-end London bars and restaurants such as All Bar One, Mr Foggs and Mark Hix but also in Majestic and more recently, Tesco.”