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Development Bank of Wales Backs the Spirit of Wales

Banc Datblygu Cymru yn cefnogi gwirodydd Cymru

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Gymraeg

A love of Wales along with a keen interest in botanicals, hedgerow fruits and fermentation has inspired Daniel Dyer to discover the art of distilling and open his own distillery in Newport. 

A £50,000 start-up micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales has been used to fund the fit-out of the Spirit of Wales Distillery that Daniel has set-up to create his award-winning authentic Welsh spirits – Steeltown Welsh Gin, Steeltown Welsh Vodka and Dragon’s Breath Spiced Welsh Rum.

Having first started distilling spirits as a hobby, Daniel and head Distiller James Gibbons now produce affordable premium spirits that celebrate their Celtic roots and Wales’ industrial heritage of steel production, coal mining, agriculture, and fishing. With two 600 litre Dragon Steel stills, Daniel says that his passion is inspired by the people of Wales.

He says,

We wanted to create something unique that would pay tribute to the people and places in Wales that inspire us. We are a small-batch distillery that makes crafted Welsh gins, vodkas, and rums.

We started in our distillery with a blank canvas to create our space where we conjure up flavours that pay tribute to the steel, coal, and mining industries that built Wales. Our online store is already growing in popularity and we have started welcoming visitors to the distillery so that they can experience a tour and tasting session.

The loan from the Development Bank has meant that we’ve got the business off the ground and we can now focus on scaling up our recipes and Welsh flavour combinations so that we can prosper long-term.

The micro loan for Spirit of Wales was arranged by Alun Lister of the Development Bank of Wales. Having first joined the Development Bank in 2014, he now helps customers to access micro loans up to £50,000.

Alun said:

Our job is to make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs like Daniel to get the finance that they need to start-up, strengthen and grow. Daniel’s passion for distilling and his love of Wales means that he has created an exciting brand and some great tasting spirits.

The £30 million Wales Micro Loan Fund is financed entirely by the Welsh Government. Loans between £1,000 and £50,000 are available with repayment terms ranging between one and ten years.

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The Development Bank of Wales funds businesses that they think will benefit Wales and its people. The ones that will create ripples of growth- those that are more than a good business model or a great idea. They finance responsible businesses – those with a strong social, ethical and environmental standards, as well as real commercial promise.

By providing sustainable, effective finance where options have seemed limited, they bring ambitions to life and fuel possibilities for people, businesses and communities in Wales and beyond.

The Development Bank’s ‘big picture’ view means it can often help with debt and equity finance when options seem limited, doing whatever it takes to make a positive difference, bringing together the right people and working collaboratively to find a way to make things happen for Welsh businesses and for Wales.

Its teams are embedded in local communities, working out of regional offices that give customers direct access to key decision-makers and signposted avenues of support. They understand what’s happening in Wales’ villages, towns and cities – the challenges and the opportunities. They see the potential for business growth as a catalyst for enhancing lives and communities in Wales and beyond.

For more information, visit the Development Bank website at www.developmentbank.wales to find out more.

 

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