Pub receipt gave us an idea - now it makes millions

Pair dreamed up the idea of making their own gin after a visit to a Didsbury boozer, writes Sophie Halle-Richards

WHEN friends Liam Manton and Mark Smallwood went for a drink at a pub in Didsbury five years ago, they never could have imagined it would lead to a letter from the King.

Both lovers of gin, they decided to make their way through as many different types of the juniper-based spirit the pub had to offer.

After getting the bill, the pals realised there must be a cheaper way to find their favourite.

So they decided to create their own.

Based on the flavour profiles they'd enjoyed in the pub, they produced a sample and introduced it to a select few journalists and bar owners.

Six months later, and Alderman's Didsbury Gin had appeared on the shelves of Harvey Nicholls. And, after an appearance on Dragon's Den three years ago, the business spiralled with the help of a five-figure investment from dragon, Jenny Campbell.

"We were both working full-time jobs and we were approached to go on Dragon's Den so we turned it down," recalled Liam, 35, who is originally from Collyhurst but now lives in Ancoats.

"But then we both got made redundant from our respective industries within a week of each other. The researchers contacted us again and we agreed to go on the show.