"I wanted to save it": Bright future for Portsmouth Distillery Co as RRS Group steps in amid financial insecurity
A distillery previously facing financial uncertainty now has a bright future ahead, thanks to a construction company which stepped in two years ago.
The Portsmouth Distillery Co, located at the historic Fort Cumberland, was established back in 2018 by friends Vince Noyce and Giles Collighan who had a dream of creating premium spirits while paying homage to the city.
However, after six years of crafting gin, run and vodka, the distillery was faced with mounting financial concerns, prompting Rapid Response Solutions (RRS Group) to step in.
Despite the Portsmouth-based machinery company being an unlikely saviour, the business, owned by Paul Barber, started “diversifying” its portfolio back in 2023 with distilleries piquing its interest.
Joe Barber, commercial director at RRS Group, said: “I joined the company in 2019 - it’s my dad’s business - and in 2023 we started looking to diversify a little bit so I have been doing the distillation within that.
“We have got a bit of experience in the industry and I heard the distillery was struggling in August 2024 while away on a trip and we came back and spoke to Vince and Giles. It was in financial distress so we stepped in at that point.”
As a result of his passion, RRS Group purchased Wrecking Coast Distillery and Verdant Spirits Distillery, both based in Cornwall.
Now the team want to make the Portsmouth Distillery “a bit more lively” by hosting more events and experiences and upgrading the facilities for weddings.
This comes after it was announced that the founders would be stepping away from their roles within the business, with RRS Group fully taking over the distillery.
In a Facebook post on the Portsmouth Distillery’s page it said: “Vince and Giles founded The Portsmouth Distillery with passion and creativity, establishing a much-loved distillery in a truly unique location.
“We would like to thank them for their contribution in creating the foundations on which the distillery stands today.”
Joe explained: “I’m born and bred in Portsmouth so for me I wanted to save a brilliant distillery and we have been fighting to keep it going to make it an attraction so people will want to come down.
“The distillery is still its own business but it is just under the RRS Group banner.
“It is great for us. It is very local and I feel like we have been given a great space. Portsmouth is one of the places with the most amount of pubs so to be part of that is amazing.
“We are focusing on getting more people into the facility because we have got to use that space as much as possible by offering tours and experiences.”
Cocktail experiences will also on offer, giving customers the chance to perfect their favourite beverage alongside expert mixologists and further masterclasses are in the pipeline.