Northern Ireland’s economy minister, Gordon Lyons, has announced that a £7.6 million investment to develop a new whiskey distillery and visitor centre in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter will create more than 40 new jobs in the city.
Details
The investment by Belfast drinks company Titanic Distillers includes the conversion of the Titanic Pump-House into a working distillery and tourist attraction, both of which are due to open later this year.
Statements
Visiting the site, where work is nearing completion, Lyons said, “I’m pleased to see Titanic Distillers’ investment coming to life at this historic pump-house today. Once the redevelopment is complete, the distillery will produce quality single-malt Irish whiskey, contributing to the growth of Northern Ireland’s whiskey cluster.”
Lyons added, “By making such a significant investment, this local start-up has already been able to increase its global sales and is now set to provide an exciting new tourism offering for Belfast and Northern Ireland. This significant investment by Titanic Distillers will create 41 jobs by the end of 2024, with over £1 million of additional annual salaries contributing to the local economy once in place.”
Richard Irwin, director of Titanic Distillers, said, “There is a significant global market opportunity for Irish whiskey, and we’re already seeing great success for our Titanic Distillers Premium Irish Whiskey in retailers throughout Great Britain. With significant investment in a dedicated distillery, we’ll soon be able to produce and bottle our own products on this historic site and build on our success to date, to grow in global markets, with an initial focus on the US.
“We’re very excited to embrace the history of our distillery’s location, to create a unique product and visitor experience in a World Heritage Site, immersed in the spirit of Belfast’s industrial and maritime past, and inspired by the people who worked in Belfast’s shipyard more than a century ago.”
© 2022 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
