Founded in 2022 by husband and wife Oli Powell and Jon Gronow, Queer Spirits first made a splash with its Queer Gin pilot, which saw notable sales success. Now, the company is taking the next step by launching a Crowdfunder campaign to raise at least £100,000 ($134,190). The goal is to establish a dedicated production facility in London — a vibrant new queer space where spirits can be crafted, stories shared, and community celebrated.
Plans for Production and Product Growth
The funds raised will help renovate the site and buy distilling equipment designed for small-batch production, including a 100-liter still. Queer Spirits plans to expand beyond gin, introducing non-alcoholic “spirits,” ready-to-drink cocktails, vodka, rum, and tequila. The tequila will be created in collaboration with a female-led distillery based in Jalisco, Mexico.
Creating Retail and Cultural Hubs Across the UK
Beyond production, Queer Spirits intends to open stores in cities such as Manchester, Brighton, and Glasgow. These outlets will serve multiple roles: retail and tasting venues, event and fundraising spaces, and platforms to showcase queer talent, nightlife, and culture.
Building Community and Preserving Queer Spaces
Oli Powell said the company was founded to “make a difference.”
“Queer spaces are more important than ever,” he said. “By giving the community real ownership and a say in how we run them, we are building something we can all be proud of.”
The company highlights a troubling trend: more than half of LGBTQ+ venues in the UK, including iconic places like GAY, have closed since 2006. Queer Spirits aims to counter this by creating a membership-based business selling spirits to venues and consumers alike. Revenue will support LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and community spaces struggling with rising rents, gentrification, and underinvestment.
A Vision for Sustainable Queer Nightlife
Queer Spirits hopes to establish a “self-sustaining way to reinvest in queer nightlife, preserve historic venues, and foster the next generation of grassroots queer culture.”
Jon Gronow added, “Queer Spirits is committed to building community strength and celebrating our queer spirits year-round. Through our investment, we will create the world’s first LGBTQ+ collaborative distillery and help build bold and innovative community spaces.”
Investor Opportunities and Governance
The company aims to offer investors a 6% annual return starting from year three. Each investor will also receive one vote, allowing them a voice at the company’s annual shareholder meetings — reinforcing the community-driven spirit at the heart of Queer Spirits.
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