Aberdeenshire Whisky Retailer Toasts To Expansion

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An Aberdeenshire whisky specialist is marking its 10-year anniversary with a major expansion, thanks to support from Business Gateway.

The popular Inverurie Whisky Shop and Foghouse Bar have come together under one roof in the heart of Inverurie, following the Whisky Shop’s move on 29 November, creating a flagship destination for whisky lovers and visitors.

Founded in 2015 by local entrepreneur Mike Stuart, Inverurie Whisky Shop has grown into a well-loved destination across the north-east and beyond. Following the success of his latest venture, The Foghouse bar, which opened on 5 July, the business is relocating its retail store to the same Market Place site, with the expanded premises opening later this month.

Since opening this summer, The Foghouse has proved a hit with locals and visitors, including cruise ship passengers. Inspired by the Foghouse Gin brand, the bar provides a sense of local escapism while showcasing Aberdeenshire products. The team works closely with local suppliers and partners with VisitAberdeenshire to enhance the visitor experience and support the wider business community.

The new venue features a dedicated bar, purpose-built tasting rooms, an expanded retail area and a function suite for up to 49 guests. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of whisky, wine and spirit tastings, freshly brewed coffee and locally sourced food. It will also run monthly wine and whisky flights in partnership with Aberdeen Wine School.

The venue brings the full Inverurie Whisky Shop and Foghouse experience together, ideal for private and corporate events, networking groups and celebrations. It will also offer bespoke distillery tours on its Malt Mobile.

Annette Leonard, business and events manager of The Inverurie Whisky Shop, has worked closely with Business Gateway adviser Keith Smith to prepare for expansion. Keith provided guidance on the move, routes to funding, staffing and operations, and connected the business to key industry partners, including Visit Aberdeenshire and Opportunity North East.

The business first engaged with Business Gateway in its early years, benefiting from advice on business planning, HR, marketing and networking. With demand continuing to grow, the latest phase of support is helping realise its ambitions for a signature retail and visitor experience in Aberdeenshire.

Annette Leonard, Inverurie Whisky Shop business and events manager, said:

“Celebrating ten years with this move feels like a real milestone for us. Bringing everything together at Market Place gives us space to grow, to welcome more people, and to create a destination that celebrates local food, drink and hospitality. The Foghouse has already become a great hub for the community, and we’re excited to build on that momentum."

“Business Gateway has been invaluable in helping us reach this stage. Keith’s guidance on marketing, operations and networking has supported our expansion and helped us connect with other local businesses, making this 10-year anniversary extra special.”

Keith Smith, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Inverurie Whisky Shop is a brilliant example of a business that has evolved with its customers. Mike and the team have created something that celebrates whisky while supporting local suppliers, hospitality and tourism."

“It’s been a pleasure to provide advice and guidance as they take this exciting next step.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here.

Responding to the Autumn Budget, Steven Martin, Senior Tax Manager at HWB Chartered Accountants, said:

“I would have liked to see more simplification in the range of tax rates and allowances. Instead, there is more complication, with fine judgements needed about marginal rates when it comes to tax planning."

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Paul Andrews
Dec 7, 2023
2 min read

AIPUT (Airport Industrial Property Unit Trust) has today announced that the London Borough of Hounslow has granted planning permission for a new 67,000 sq ft GEA (Gross External Area) high-spec industrial warehouse building at its Radius Park industrial campus at Heathrow Airport.

The new ‘RP6’ warehouse will be a consolidation of two previous warehouse buildings at AIPUT’s 16-acre Radius Park campus. The building will be stripped back to the structural steel and floor slab to create a new high quality, sustainable and flexible single warehouse building that will also include Grade A first floor offices and benefit from a highly secure, fenced location.

The new warehouse has been designed to achieve EPC A+ energy sustainability performance, incorporating a range of environmental initiatives including roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and other Low and Zero Carbon technologies designed to minimise both embodied and operational carbon.

Additionally, large areas of sustainably sourced timber cladding will be used on the new building. The finished warehouse is projected to achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A+’ ratings. RP6 represents the latest step in the delivery of AIPUT’s Pathway to Net Zero strategy, which seeks to decarbonise the fund’s operations and its entire logistics real asset portfolio by 2040.

The site enjoys exceptional access to Heathrow Airport via the Perimeter Road at Hatton Cross (including key control posts such as the Heathrow Maintenance Base) and enjoys easy access to key highway routes including the M25, M4, A30 and A312.

Commenting on the Radius Park refurbishment, AIPUT Fund Manager, Nick Ireland, said: “We are delighted that the London Borough of Hounslow has supported our proposal for this significant investment in the enhancement of AIPUT’s Radius Park industrial campus."

“Our new building has been designed to incorporate a range of environmental standards supporting AIPUT’s ambition to decarbonise the fund’s real estate portfolio by 2040.”

Subject to the timing of final legal agreements, AIPUT hopes that the new RP6 warehouse will be ready for tenant occupation by Q4 2024. The fund’s existing customers at its Radius Park campus include ASC Cargo, Brinks, Customs Clearance Limited, ECMS Global and Gate Gourmet.

AIPUT was advised on the planning application by PRC Group and Northland, with JLL and Logix appointed as letting agents. Further details of RP6 can be found here.

Responding to the Autumn Budget, Steven Martin, Senior Tax Manager at HWB Chartered Accountants, said:

“I would have liked to see more simplification in the range of tax rates and allowances. Instead, there is more complication, with fine judgements needed about marginal rates when it comes to tax planning."

Act Now On Looming Shake-Up Of Tenants’ Rights

A senior lawyer at a south coast legal firm has urged landlords and lettings agents to ‘get ahead of what is to come’ as the countdown begins to a major reform of the private rented sector.

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Aberdeenshire Whisky Retailer Toasts To Expansion

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