How Chesterfield gin distillery has diversified to support battle against coronavirus

Directors at Derbyshire Distillery were keen to help when it became clear there were serious shortages of hand sanitiser during the early stages of the virus outbreak.

Keeping hands clean was quickly identified as one of the key ways to avoid the spread of Covid-19, and there were particular shortages on the frontline in hospitals and care homes.

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Production of the hand sanitiser started at the end of March as soon as directors gained a license from HM Revenue and Customs.

The distillery then began supplying local charities, including Ashgate Hospicecare, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, the NHS and homecare agencies.

Phil Meakin, a director at Derbyshire Distillery, said: “We are delighted to be doing our bit to help combat this pernicious virus and that we’re able to give something back to the community.

“Charities of all sizes have been severely impacted by coronavirus and we are pleased that we’re able to help such a worthy cause.”

Until the pandemic is over, the company has agreed to continue supporting Ashgate Hospicecare and will ensure hospice teams have as much hand sanitiser as they need.

Due to the ongoing shortage of hand sanitiser and significant increase in prices, the company is making the product available to its online customers, who will receive a free 250ml bottle of Derbyshire Distillery hand sanitiser with every full size bottle of gin.

Derbyshire Distillery will continue to produce hand sanitiser for the foreseeable future for the healthcare sector and is planning scented varieties to reflect its range of flavoured gins.

The distillery is one of many Chesterfield companies which have diversified in reaction to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

Evolve Printing & Embroidery, based at Staveley, diversified into making the cotton masks after seeing its usual order sheet ‘grind to a halt’ when lockdown was introduced by the Government.

Blachford UK, which makes vehicle soundproofing materials, ceased production because of the global pandemic – prompting managing director Jason Lippitt to offer the services of the company’s factory and staff to the fight against Covid-19.