Employee-owned, Manchester-based drinks specialist Kingsland Drinks Group has secured a £65 million funding package from Barclays with the support of our Banking team.
Based in Irlam, Greater Manchester, Kingsland Drinks Group is an independent drinks business working across contract bottling and canning, product development, and sourcing and procurement with major UK retailers and drinks brands.
With a history in wine and spirit production dating back to 1955, and employing around 400 staff locally, the company has established a multi-faceted operation combining drinks creation with extensive co-packing and bottling capabilities. Building on its longstanding position as a key supplier of branded and own label wines, in recent years the Group has strengthened its spirits proposition and expanded its focus into the fast growing low and no alcohol category.
The new funding package will allow the business to continue its growth journey, following its move to employee ownership in 2021, unlocking new opportunities for future investment.
Our Banking team, led by Partner Helen Penfold, provided lead legal advice to Kingsland Drinks, with additional support from our Real Estate team, led by Legal Director Ruth Cockram.
It’s been a real pleasure to support Kingsland Drinks on this funding, which provides the platform the business needs to invest confidently in its next stage of growth.Helen Penfold
Partner at Hill Dickinson
Sarah Baldwin, Managing Director at Kingsland Drinks, said: “The past few years have seen some challenging times for the drinks industry and for Kingsland. We’re now moving into a phase of evolving the core business and securing long-term development opportunities. This funding will help secure an exciting future for the business as a pioneering force in the drinks industry, built on strong community roots where our people, heritage and quality continue to set us apart.”
Helen Penfold, Banking Partner at Hill Dickinson, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to support Kingsland Drinks on this funding, which provides the platform the business needs to invest confidently in its next stage of growth.”