A POPULAR gin-making duo have taken over a bar in Horwich.

Paul Welch and Mark Barnes, who run The Bolton Gin Company, have just bought the Tap and Cork in Horwich.

The pair will stock all 80 of their flavours behind the bar, alongside local cask ales from other Bolton-based companies.

Mr Welch said: "We've grown quite massively, we've been getting better comments and a better reputation, we got the product into more places, so we thought next stage – lets buy a bar.

"It's in Horwich which is where we're based, where we started, and it's close to where we make the gin so if we run out of anything at 10pm it won't take long to pop round and grab another bottle.

"We try and work with the other local firms as much as possible, we've met some great friends along the way at places like Northern Monkey and Little Bolton Town Hall, it'd be nice to pay back some of the support they've given.

"People have been so so kind since we revealed the news – it's like they're looking and going 'well done guys', it's really nice to hear.

"This is such a big success for us, we're so proud – long may it continue."

The bar, in Lee Lane, Horwich, will be a completely new addition to the brand, who flavour their gin in a unit within the creative cluster in nearby Hampson Street.

During lockdown, the company has expanded drastically, with stores from Dundee to Plymouth stocking the brand's creative flavours, including blackjack, chocolate and coconut, and dandelion and burdock.