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Local gin entrepreneurs celebrate innovative business venture opening at Porthcawl seafront
Tuesday 05 August 2025
Local entrepreneurs Chris and Glenn have breathed new life into a previously unoccupied kiosk on Porthcawl seafront by launching ‘Porthcawl Distillery’, a unique gin experience and gift-shop with support from the council's Economic Development and Enterprise team.
Porthcawl Distillery is a fully independent, family run business where every spirit created is unique thanks to a truly small batch and individual approach.
With help from the ‘Business Start-up Fund’, a collaborative initiative with UK Steel Enterprise, the council has provided crucial financial support, in the form of 50 per cent of funds to cover the shop-fitting costs and the purchase of essential distilling equipment.
"This is exactly the type of innovative business we want to see flourishing in Porthcawl. The support we can provide to local entrepreneurs, like Chris and Glenn, demonstrates our commitment to nurturing local entrepreneurship, revitalising community spaces and boosting the local economy."
"Opening the doors to our very own gift shop and gin experience feels completely surreal. After dedicating the last two years to building Porthcawl Distillery from the ground up, this moment is one we’ll never forget. The support from our local community has been incredible, and we’re especially thankful to Simon and Rhys from the council’s Economic Development team, local councillors and Cabinet Members, our local MP, and the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, who’ve backed us from the very beginning. We’ve had visitors travel from across Wales and the UK just to try our gin, which is truly humbling. We’ve got some exciting plans in the pipeline — and we’re excited to see what the future holds."
The Business Start-up Fund targets micro-businesses - defined as enterprises with fewer than ten employees and a turnover under £2 million - providing flexible financial assistance to transform entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
“Porthcawl Distillery represents more than just a new business; it's a testament to the town's resilience and creative spirit, transforming an empty kiosk into a vibrant hub of local craftsmanship and tourism potential.”
