Rachel Reeves visits Sipsmith distillery in Chiswick

Rachel Reeves with Sam Galsworthy at Sipsmith

Chancellor celebrates trade deal with India by visiting a company which represents “British innovation and excellence”

Rachel Reeves was in Chiswick today (Thursday 9 October). The Chancellor was visiting Sipsmith distillery to celebrate UK–India trade deal which is expected to create almost 7,000 UK jobs – including 2,591 in London, with more than £1.3 billion in new Indian investment flowing into British industries.

The Chancellor’s visit follows the Prime Minister’s two-day trade mission to India this week, to clinch the free trade deal which is being seen as one of the stand-out successes of his first year in office. He was accompanied by 125 chief executives from the UK’s most prominent companies, leading entrepreneurs and cultural leaders, as well as university vice-chancellors.

Following the landmark UK-India trade deal signed in July, which will lower tariffs on British goods being imported into India, the door is now open for British businesses to increase their trade with one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Jared Brown with Rachel Reeves; the tour included a tour of the distillery and a mocktail-making session

Sipsmith founders Sam Galsworthy and Jared Brown showed Rachel Reeves and Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith & Chiswick, around the Chiswick distillery so they could learn at firsthand how British businesses such as Sipsmith might benefit from the new trade opportunities.

Suntory Global Spirits took over ownership of the company in 2016, though the distillery is still run by the original founders. At the time, Sam Galsworthy described them as “the perfect partners to take Sipsmith to all four corners of the globe”.

They now export to more than 50 countries, though they have faced tough times as last year’s accounts reported declining sales globally for the fifth year in a row.

Speaking during the visit, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

“In Chiswick, Sipsmith is a brilliant example of the kind of British innovation and excellence that this government is backing – helping businesses grow, export, and create good jobs across every part of the country.”

Andy Slaughter added:

“It’s great to welcome the Chancellor to Hammersmith and Chiswick to see a thriving local business that embodies what makes our area so special — creativity, skill, and ambition.

“The new trade deal with India will help businesses here in West London reach new markets and support good, secure jobs for local people. It’s a real vote of confidence in our community and in the UK’s economic future.”

A tour of the distillery

You don’t have to be Chancellor to get a free tour of the Sipsmith distillery

Sipsmith are members of The Chiswick Calendar’s Club Card scheme, offering free tours of the distillery to our subscribers.

See how to apply for a tour on their Club Card page: Sipsmith Club Card offer.

They are also offering a free glass of gin at the launch of our autumn art exhibition at the Clayton Hotel Chiswick next Tuesday (14 October). Register here if you’d like to come.

The Chiswick Calendar’s autumn art exhibition.

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