Gin distillery set to open opposite St Michael’s

The company behind London Dry Gin has revealed plans to open a gin distillery and visitor centre in Manchester, converting a disused office on Lloyd Street to provide a four-floor site with gin school, bar, and music performance space.

G&J Distillers, the Warrington-based company which produces London Dry Gin, will use the site for its Thomas Dakin Gin line.

A planning application submitted to Manchester City Council from SSA Architects and GVA details the alterations to Croxley House required to house the large copper stills, which will be visible from the street, a cooling tower on the roof, plus space for the bar and gin school, small music venue and offices.

The distillery would be opposite the £150m St Michael’s development, recently granted planning permission, with retail and leisure units planned on the ground floor of the tower.

In the application, SSA Architects said on behalf of G&J: “The production of the historically renowned gin in such a central location celebrates the revival of gin and cements Thomas Dakin Gin’s connections to both Manchester and North West England. Public tours will be offered as part of the business. In addition, there will be an associated bar and gin school where visitors, can create their own gin.”

G&J Distillers has been distilling London Dry Gin since 1761. From its bottling and logistics facility in Warrington, the company distils and bottles up to 70 million bottles of gin, vodka and other spirits each year.

The Thomas Dakin Small Batch Gin was inspired by Thomas Dakin, the founder of the company.

Croxley House is owned by Epsilon Real Estate.