The owner of Churchtown’s newest business has revealed his love for the Village – and why he can’t wait to bring something new and exciting to the area.
Darren Boyd-Preece, aged 46, is working on plans to open The Dram, his whisky-themed shop, at 76 Botanic Road. The shop will open from 10am on Saturday, 30th April 2022.
The shop will sell a wide range of gifts including specialist whisky by the bottle, and a great choice of whisky related gifts including decanters, hip flasks, glassware, fudge, chocolates, beauty products, candles and more!
The whisky bottles being sold will delight connoisseurs, as specialist goods that people will generally not be able to find in supermarkets.
The Dram will offer shoppers the unique opportunity to experience a Dram of Whisky before they buy a bottle to take home, and will be offering mini tasting experiences.
The new gift shop will add to the likes of Churchtown Deli, Botanic Road Fine Chocolate and others in what is becoming an attractive area for food and drink lovers.
Darren said: “I love whisky! I have always drunk it.
“I have worked in property and property management for the past 25 years. My current business which I run is a property maintenance business.
“It was at Christmas when I was sitting with a friend in Remedy in Churchtown when I had the idea of opening The Dram.
“Whisky and motorbikes are my two favourite passions. I love whisky, and while I wouldn’t call myself an expert, I do have a broad knowledge of it, and a passion for it. I decided that this is what I really wanted to do.”
Darren, aged 46, lives with his wife in Churchtown. The couple have lived in Southport for the past 17 years.
They love living in Churchtown, and have enjoyed seeing the recent renaissance in the Village, with a number of new local, new businesses opening.
Darren is keen to fill another vacant unit on Botanic Road with his shop and add to what the Village has to offer.
He said: “Because I love Churchtown so much, I really wanted to open a new business and to invest in the area.
“It’s a beautiful Village, it feels so good. We spend a lot of time here!
“We take the dogs out; we come and enjoy food; this is just a really nice place to come and visit.
“There are some really great shops and other businesses on Botanic Road already.
“There are a lot of specialists along here. Churchtown Deli are great at what they do; RS Fine Chocolate has been a superb addition to the area; there are some other great businesses here too. We are creating a real theme for top quality food and drinks outlets.
“Lots of other local business owners and local people have been really supportive towards what we are looking to achieve here, which will bring something else new to the Village and create another reason for shoppers to come and visit.
“There are three empty units in a row on Botanic Road at the moment and we are moving into one of them. It would be great to see them all full soon.
“We initially wanted to open The Dram at the end of April. Because of our application for a Premises Licence, I don’t think it is going to be ready then, so Iam now aiming for some time in May.
“I want people to be able to see that The Dram is going to be a really great addition to Churchtown and to Southport.”
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