A local 'bricks and mortar' business has transformed itself during the coronavirus pandemic, not only by going online, but by launching a new company offering expert-led, on-demand hybrid experiences that consist of virtual and physical elements.

The specialist wine merchant, Cambridge Wine Royston, based in north Hertfordshire, has been operating for 15 years as a traditional shop front and supplier to hospitality by directors Kirby Bryant and Lisa Pilgrim. When COVID-19 and lockdown hit, 100 percent of hospitality trade was lost and the retail outlet temporarily closed its doors to the public due to safety concerns. The owners began working on a home delivery service and quickly established an e-commerce store and began offering same-day delivery to local residents. A few weeks later, they took a gin tasting event online and soon after, In House Tasting – a new company providing on-demand, virtual tastings – was established. 

The new company, In House Tasting, provides tasting experience gifts that are hosted by industry experts in an on-demand, video format. This format allows the viewer to follow along and enjoy the experience at their own pace at a time that suits and is different to what is currently on the market, whereby virtual tastings are often live and hosted at a specific time. The products are proving popular both as Christmas gifts and as entertainment for virtual parties over Zoom.

“We feel privileged to have been able to not only recover and advance our current local business, but launch a new company and employ people who lost jobs in other industries. We are keen to promote small producers and have a key focus on encouraging our customers to support their local, independent retailers, wherever they may be in the UK. Beyond what we sell, being able to support people and other businesses in the current climate has formed an important part of our ethos in both companies,” says  Kirby Bryant, Co-Director of Cambridge Wine Royston and In House Tasting

Tasting kits are currently available to purchase online and from a number of traditional independent retailers including Cambridge Wine Royston, Cambridge Wine Merchants and Pearce's Farm Shop in Buntingford, Hertfordshire.

Cambridge Wine Royston is located at 34 Kneesworth Street, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 5AB. A selection of products are available online for delivery, click and collect or curbside pickup. https://www.cambridgewineroyston.com The shop is open daily until Christmas Eve with strict limits on the number of persons permitted to enter at any one time. Our dedicated team of experts are always on hand to advise you with your food & wine pairing queries or gift quandaries along with the now quintessential virtual tastings - appointments are available or telephone advisory service 01763 247076.

In House Tasting sells online at https://inhousetasting.com and tasting kits are also available through various independent retailers.

ENDS

Further images, including high resolution are available: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1eftRoBKslY8FtJsNV4-g6KpyqBiTrzr2

Media contact: Carley Morrow - carley@cambridgewineroyston.com