Whisky galore! The Dram Gift Shop opens in Southport with fine whisky and whisky inspired goods

Andrew Brown
6 Min Read
Darren and Rebecca Boyd-Preece and their son at The Dram Gift Shop in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Shoppers can enjoy whisky galore after a new whisky-inspired gift shop opened in historic Churchtown Village in Southport. 

The Dram opened at 76 Botanic Road on Saturday (30th April), as they welcomed their delighted first customers. 

The shop sells a wide range of gifts connected to whisky.

It also provides whisky and a tasting service so you can try before you buy. The tasting area in the shop is now sponsored by Arran Distillery. 

There is a huge choice for shoppers. On one side of the premises is a whisky wall, containing dozens of bottles of top quality whisky and whisky gift boxes from around the world. 

Whisky themed products include everything you could ever want or think of: there is specialty whisky infused coffee, roasted in whisky barrels; whisky tea; gift bags with coffee liqueur and hand-made chocolates from the RS Fine Chocolate Shop nearby; whisky hip flasks; whisky fudge; crystal whisky glasses; malt whisky marmalade and malt whisky raspberry jam; whisky smoked nuts; Scotch whisky sauce; Scotch barbecue sauce; whisky scented candles; whisky and honey reed diffusers; shaving gift sets; whisky and honey organic aloe vera hand wash; whisky and honey hand care gift sets; whisky shaving soap and razors. 

The Dram Gift Shop  in Churchtown in Southport
The Dram Gift Shop in Churchtown in Southport

Really unique items on display include The Dram’s oak whisky cask pens, slimline gold plated with a smartphone / tablet stylus. 

Dogs are welcome in the shop and many enjoyed their first visit on Saturday. 

Thanks to the Arran Dog Bakery, they can enjoy special treats including peanut and apple bone shaped biscuits, or peanut and apple or carrot cake cookies for dogs. 

The first people in the shop included Linda and Paul Kewin, who won a special ten year old bottle of Arran Whisky and a selection of gifts worth £175 – a great way for Paul to celebrate his birthday! 

Darren and Rebecca Boyd-Preece with Linda and Paul Kewin, who won first prize in a Sandgrounder Radio competition, at The Dram Gift Shop in Churchtown in Southport. They won a special ten year old bottle of Arran Whisky and a selection of gifts worth £175 - a great way for Paul to celebrate his birthday. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Darren and Rebecca Boyd-Preece with Linda and Paul Kewin, who won first prize in a Sandgrounder Radio competition, at The Dram Gift Shop in Churchtown in Southport. They won a special ten year old bottle of Arran Whisky and a selection of gifts worth £175 – a great way for Paul to celebrate his birthday. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The Dram Gift Shop owner Darren Boyd-Preece, who lives with his family in Southport, is delighted at the reaction from customers. 

He said: “Our opening day has gone really well! It felt like all the promotion we have been doing to let people know about The Dram have paid off. 

“Lots of people have been coming in and having a good look around the shop and liking the whisky and whisky inspired products we have on sale. 

“Churchtown is absolutely where we wanted this shop to be. Today has proved that the shop fits well with the other local, independent businesses that we have in the Village. 

“We are really pleased to be open – we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Darren and Rebecca Boyd-Preece and customer Colin Peet at The Dram Gift Shop in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Darren and Rebecca Boyd-Preece and customer Colin Peet at The Dram Gift Shop in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

The Dram Gift Shop will add to the quality food and drink choice already provided by the likes of Chuchtown Deli, which also sells alcohol and holds tasting events, as well as RS Fine Chocolate, Peets Plaice fishmongers, Graham Eyes butchers and others.

The new business has occupied another empty retail unit on Botanic Road, adding to the vitality of the Village, and increasing Churchtown’s reputation as a home to a growing number of quality local independent businesses.

Local people gave their thumbs up to the new shop on The Dram Gift Shop Facebook page

Kayleigh Aldred said: “I know where my Dad’s presents will be coming from now looks amazing!”

Angela Jones said: “Well done it’s amazing……definitely worth a visit, so much to choose from….. good luck.”

The whisky wall at The Dram in Churchtown in Southport. photo by Andrew Brown Media
The whisky wall at The Dram in Churchtown in Southport. photo by Andrew Brown Media

Paul Newcombe said: “Good luck with what looks like a stunning new addition to Churchtown!” 

Darren Jones said: “Congratulations on your opening. Fantastic choice of whiskeys and related gifts!

“Visit and enjoy the whole experience, it’s more than worth it!” 

 

 

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com

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