Manchester-based rum brand secures major contract following GC Business Finance loan
An alcoholic drinks brand with a focus on premium spiced rums has announced a partnership with Majestic Wines, a nationwide retailer of alcoholic beverages, after securing a five-figure investment from GC Business Finance.
The partnership with Majestic Wines means its products will be sold online and throughout all 200 of its stores.
Manchester-based Rockstar Spirits, founded by Tom Hurst, offers a range of flavoured rums, including Pineapple Grenade, Grapefruit Grenade, Two Swallows and Two Swallows Cherry. Tom aimed to create a drink perfect for mixing with coke, putting resources into researching the traditional flavours of the soft drink to blend the perfect match. This has since resulted in the company being chosen as the official partner for Coca-Cola’s Signature Premium Mixers range.
The company has developed a long-standing relationship with GC Business Finance. A previous loan of £14,000 had helped to establish the company in 2018, whilst an additional five-figure loan provided in August this year has helped Rockstar Spirits launch two new flavours and scale up its operations. This has enabled the company to secure lucrative deals with the likes of Amazon and now Majestic Wines.
Owner of Rockstar Spirits, Tom Hurst said: “Having already worked with high-end stores such as Selfridges and Booths, we’re keen to continue working with partners that understand our brand and appreciate premium goods. In that regard, Majestic Wines are a perfect fit for our business – we now have the scope to ship our products all over the country, as well as on the shelves in more than 200 stores, so it’s an incredible feat for the company.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of GC Business Finance. The funding has allowed us to drastically ramp up production, meaning we can now realistically target huge outlets such as Majestic Wines and broaden our client base much further.”
Simon Truby, senior business loan manager at GC Business Finance, said: “We’ve been impressed by the pace at which Rockstar Spirits is developing. Having recently been named as the official partner for Coca-Cola’s new Signature collection, the company is quickly establishing itself as a premium brand, and this new partnership with Majestic Wines will only result in more positive exposure for Rockstar Spirits. We’re excited to see how far Tom can take his passion and we’re confident the brand will go from strength-to-strength following this deal.”
James Reed, buyer at Majestic Wines, said: “Customers want a spirit they can connect with – not just with a mixer, but over a prolonged period of time. That includes a compelling story, an ingredients list and a seriousness and depth of flavour. The innovations in flavouring are really helping to broaden the category too, and you’re starting to see the results with producers like Rockstar really driving the movement, both in the on and now in the off trade too. It’s a really exciting time for rum-fun.”
