Pack your bags sweetie, we’re going to London in November.
Portobello Road Gin has announced plans to launch a vast distillery complex on the street which it takes its name from, incorporating a pub, G&T bar, visitor centre and hotel. It will mean that the gin is distilled entirely on the iconic London road for the first time since 2011, when — only months after launching — the company was forced to outsource much of its production in order to keep up with demand.
The four-storey development of a former boozer on the corner of Portobello and Talbot roads will see a 400-litre gin still fitted in the basement, a striking contrast to the 30-litre still at the distillery’s original home above the Portobello Star pub. Alongside this there will be a modern visitor centre called The Ginstitute where guests will be able to learn about the history of gin and try their hand at blending their own.
The ground floor will be turned into a pub called The Resting Room where spirits will be served direct from barrels above the bar. It will have the style of a decadent Victorian gin palace and will also offer craft beers and English wines alongside gastropub-style British food. At the top of the building will be a private dining room as well as a small number of hotel rooms, making it London’s first distillery that you can stay in.
Portobello Road Gin founder Ged Feltham said: “It feels a bit crazy, but for some time we have been determined to bring all our gin production in-house and it is amazing that this will enable us to do that without leaving Portobello Road.”
The distillery is due to open in November.