Challenging trading conditions force London indie merchant to close
London wine retailer Philglas & Swiggot has announced it is set to close its doors for the last time next month blaming increasingly challenging trading conditions as well as the "additional complexities of Brexit". The post Challenging trading conditions force London indie merchant to close appeared first on The Drinks Business.
London wine retailer Philglas & Swiggot has announced it is set to close its doors for the last time next month blaming increasingly challenging trading conditions as well as the "additional complexities of Brexit".
The retailer posted a statement on LinkedIn yesterday announcing its closure on 16 March, calling it a "very difficult decision" after 30 years of trading.
"From our first shop on Northcote Road in 1991 to our Marylebone location and beyond, it has been an absolute joy to serve London’s wine lovers—whether in-store, online, or through our private client and En Primeur services," it said. "Sadly, increasingly challenging trading conditions and the additional complexities of Brexit have made it impossible for us to continue."
It offered a heartfelt thank you to its team for their dedication, as well as its loyal customer base for the "support, laughter, and shared love of great wine over the years".
"It has truly been an unforgettable journey," it said.
Justin Knock MW, who bought the retailer with his business partner Damien Jackman and a consortium of investors from across the trade in December 2014 and was its head of fine wine for six years, called it extremely sad news.
Commenting on the announcement, he said that while operating a fine wine retailer in London was "an amazing experience" it was also very hard work and full of challenges.
"I learnt more about the London wine trade in those four years than I did in the previous ten. We had great moments, tastings and dinners, I know we continued the spirit of irreverence that was a feature of Philglas & Swiggot from the beginning. Yet it is a business with endless costs and demands and fights in a market spoiled for choice and options."
"It is it has been an institution on Northcote Road and Clapham Junction in particular, and we should all be glad for the thousands of enjoyable memories and occasions it helped the people of south London find through the best years of their lives," he said.
Philglas & Swiggot opened in Battersea's Northcote Road n 1991, adding branches in Richmondin 2001 and Marylebone in 2005. The Richmond
The retailer posted a statement on LinkedIn yesterday announcing its closure on 16 March, calling it a "very difficult decision" after 30 years of trading.
"From our first shop on Northcote Road in 1991 to our Marylebone location and beyond, it has been an absolute joy to serve London’s wine lovers—whether in-store, online, or through our private client and En Primeur services," it said. "Sadly, increasingly challenging trading conditions and the additional complexities of Brexit have made it impossible for us to continue."
It offered a heartfelt thank you to its team for their dedication, as well as its loyal customer base for the "support, laughter, and shared love of great wine over the years".
"It has truly been an unforgettable journey," it said.
Justin Knock MW, who bought the retailer with his business partner Damien Jackman and a consortium of investors from across the trade in December 2014 and was its head of fine wine for six years, called it extremely sad news.
Commenting on the announcement, he said that while operating a fine wine retailer in London was "an amazing experience" it was also very hard work and full of challenges.
"I learnt more about the London wine trade in those four years than I did in the previous ten. We had great moments, tastings and dinners, I know we continued the spirit of irreverence that was a feature of Philglas & Swiggot from the beginning. Yet it is a business with endless costs and demands and fights in a market spoiled for choice and options."
"It is it has been an institution on Northcote Road and Clapham Junction in particular, and we should all be glad for the thousands of enjoyable memories and occasions it helped the people of south London find through the best years of their lives," he said.
Philglas & Swiggot opened in Battersea's Northcote Road n 1991, adding branches in Richmondin 2001 and Marylebone in 2005. The Richmond
