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Nelson’s Distillery auctions assets after sale failure

England-based Nelson’s Distillery & School has ceased trading after failing to find a buyer, with the company’s assets sold at auction.

Nelson's gin
An unnamed third-party has purchased the trademarks and recipes for Nelson’s gin and rum

Former professional chef Neil Harrison launched Nelson’s in 2016. The brand became known for its flagship London Dry No.7 gin and Signature Blend Rum.

In July 2025, Nelson’s Distillery in Staffordshire entered administration following the sudden death of Harrison in March.

Martin Williamson, a licensed insolvency practitioner at IPD, was appointed as administrator for the gin and rum producer on 9 July.

The company, which includes a gin school, was put on sale in July but the offers it received were below the asking price.

Williamson confirmed that the highest offer it received was £30,000 (US$40,325).

“Despite receiving over 30 expressions of interest following the company entering administration a going concern sale of the business and assets was not achieved,” said Williamson. “The offers received were below the level required to take forward.”

As a result of not achieving a sale, trading ceased on 31 July 2025.

The company’s assets were put up for sale through an online auction, which concluded on Monday (25 August).

Assets available included the complete distillery set-up, gin school equipment, and bottled gin stock.

A third-party, who has not been named due to confidentiality reasons, has acquired the trademarks, recipes for Nelson’s gins and rums, and its brand and digital presence.

The bids on the physical assets and sale of the trademarks, recipes and online presence are collectively expected to exceed £50,000 (US$67,220), according to Williamson.

The site where operations were carried out will be returned to the landlord in due course.

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