Birketts assists whisky distillery with new lease for restaurant as hospitality sector plans for future

Top East Anglian law firm Birketts has advised on a new lease for a restaurant and shop on the site of the popular Norfolk whisky distillery, The English Whisky Co.

The Kitchen at The English Whisky Co.’s St George Distillery in Roudham was forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic earlier in 2020, but a lease has now been agreed that will see the OakVilla gin distillery take over the restaurant and shop, with plans to open early in 2021.

The news is a sign of early green shoots of recovery and confidence returning to the hospitality sector as England’s second lockdown is lifted and news of several vaccines beckons a further loosening of restrictions sometime in the new year.

Melissa Loucas, Partner in Birketts’ Commercial Property Team, acted on behalf of the English Whisky Co. she said: “We are delighted to facilitate the agreement of this lease, helping businesses and, more crucially in this economic environment, jobs return to Norfolk’s renowned hospitality sector.

Our Commercial Property Team are ready to guide any business with similar queries about their future through the coming months and years of uncertainty. Please get in touch with any questions regarding your specific circumstances and our team of more than 100 specialists will be happy to assist you.”

Andrew Nelstrop, owner of The English Whisky Co., added: “We cannot thank Birketts enough for their work and guidance while securing this new lease for The Kitchen. This is excellent news for the local hospitality sector and a great sign of things to come nationally for the industry next year.

With plans for The Kitchen to reopen on January 2 2021 as a restaurant, there is a possibility for some of the former staff to return to work under the new management as well, which is just the kind of positivity we need as we approach the festive season.”