Gin schools set to welcome heroes

Nelson’s Distillery and School, based in Uttoxeter, is undergoing a major expansion plan in 2020, opening new schools in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester with other cities to follow.

To mark the efforts of key workers and others during recent weeks, Nelson’s will hold a “hero day” at each of its new locations, as well as at its Uttoxeter headquarters.

People can nominate their “heroes” and a judging panel will select 40 people to attend – with a guest – at one of the four venues in the UK.

Former chef Neil Harrison, who created the company in 2016, said: “We wanted to recognise the outstanding work being done by people who are very much the heroes of the battle against Covid-19.

“It may be that people want to nominate a front line NHS worker or delivery driver, a volunteer or even a neighbour who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their hour of need.

"We will invite 40 heroes and their guests to the four locations and hopefully we will be in a position to host these events no later than September, depending on how the current crisis develops.

“Our gin schools are extremely popular –people get the chance to see behind the scenes, as well as create their own gin, so we thought it would be a welcome respite and enjoyable experience for those people who have been leading the frontline battle against Covid-19.”

To nominate a hero, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/56FN8CZ

The new gin schools will be based at the Clayton Hotels in Manchester and Birmingham and the Hilton Hotels in Leeds, along with two hotels in Manila in the Philippines.

Further schools will also be opened in Edinburgh, York, London and the south west – as well as Singapore and Hong Kong – later in 2020 or next year, with plans in place to hold ‘hero days’ at each.

Nelson’s has been a supporter of the NHS throughout the coronavirus outbreak and created a special limited-edition blue gin to mark the efforts of the NHS front line workers.

A donation was made to NHS together Covid-19 charities for each bottle sold, which has already raised £15,000. Nelson’s will also continue to donate 20 per cent of any revenue received throughout the month of April in addition to the 15,000 raised so far.