Popular TV personality Paul Crone was among the first visitors to enjoy the new whisky themed gift shop The Dram in Churchtown in Southport.
Owner Darren Boyd-Preece was delighted to welcome Granada Reports presenter ‘Croney’ into his unique new shop, which officially opened last Saturday (30th April).
For more than 30 years, Paul Crone has become one of the most familiar faces and voices in homes across the North West of England.
His many broadcasting skills lie in his diversity to adapt to the versatile range of stories the popular nightly regional news programme Granada Reports covers.
Darren Boyd-Preece said: “Paul Crone called in as a local resident, to come and see what our shop is like. He really liked it!
“He had a good look around and thought it looked very stylish and that it had a really good feel to it.
“He bought some of our special dog treats while he was here!
“It has been a really good first week. It has been really busy.
“There has been a good mix of people enjoying trying some drams of whisky, buying bottles of whisky, buying gifts for other people.
“It has been a really good start for us.
“It would be good to let people know that they can come in, have a sit down and try a dram of whisky with us before they buy any bottles.”
Businesses along Botanic Road have been affected over the past few days since United Utilities closed Bankfield Lane so that they could carry out work to alleviate flooding issues in the Verulam Road area.
However, Botanic Road remains open to traffic, with lots of free parking spaces available.
Darren said: “There is a road closure reducing the amount of traffic coming through, but Botanic Road is still open.
“You can drive down and park right outside our shop, or very close to it.
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone.”
The Dram, at 76 Botanic Road in Churchtown, 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.
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.
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