Take a look inside Southport's new whiskey store, The Dram Gift Shop

Take a first look inside the brand new The Dram gift shop in Churchtown in Southport as it looks forward to opening this Bank Holiday weekend.

The whisky-themed venue will open its doors from 10am this Saturday (30th April) with a special Open Day, allowing shoppers the chance to call in and have a look around.

The shop is situated at 76 Botanic Road in picturesque Churchtown Village, and offers goods such as hip flasks, whisky glasses, whisky infused tea, and a choice of 35-40 carefully selected fine whiskies.

Shoppers would be able to try some of the whisky on offer inside the shop before they buy.

Credit: Andrew Brown Media

The Dram has also received backing from the prestigious Arran Whisky Distillery in Scotland.

The Distillery is situated on a small island in the Firth of Clyde between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre peninsula, where the local water, microclimate and air quality all influence the creation of this much sought-after whisky with a rare and unique personality all its own – a little like The Dram.

Arran Whisky Distillery has sponsored The Dram tasting area., and has created a beautiful new mural.

Owner Darren Boyd-Preece said:

“We have been busy at the shop with the whole family, getting stock through the doors and onto shelves….

“I do believe it’s now looking like a Whisky Gift Shop!

“Just a few days to go now before we open this Saturday.

“We had an absolutely amazing day recently at the Arran Distillery in Scotland recently.

“We had the tour from a fabulous guide who was so passionate about whisky and the Arran.

Credit: Andrew Brown Media

“I learned so much on the tour and by visiting the gift shop, there is always something to learn. “Not only is this fabulous brand sponsoring our tasting area but they shared some great tips for our shop and some suppliers as well. Big thank you. To all my followers, if you get a chance, you must visit the distillery.”

The Dram Gift Shop will add to the quality food and drink choice already provided by the likes of Chuchtown Deli, which also sells alcohol and holds tasting events, as well as RS Fine Chocolate, Peets Plaice fishmongers, Graham Eyes butchers and others.

The new business has filled another empty retail unit on Botanic Road, adding to the vitality of the Village, and increase Churchtown’s reputation as a home to a growing number of quality local independent businesses.

The Dram Gift Shop owner Darren Boyd-Preece says he appreciates the tremendous support he has already received from other business owners and residents in the area who are looking forward to the new addition opening.

Credit: Andrew Brown Media

He said: “I have been speaking to a number of the business owners along Botanic Road. They are very supportive of what we are aiming to do with our new gift shop.

“There are lots of synergies with other shops in Churchtown Village.

“Our business model is very similar to Churchtown Deli, a superb shop which has been operating successfully for a number of years. They provide quality food and drink, including alcohol, and occasionally hold small, intimate tasting nights. They are very much a shop and not a bar, and that’s what we are aiming to create too.”

Darren is impressed with the independent quality food and drink offering that exists in Churchtown now, and is looking forward to adding something new.

He said: “It will be about pairing up your favourite whisky for your friends and family, with a hip flask, or another gift. The gifts we have will complement the whisky.

“This is going to be a shop where people can come and experience whisky. This is a shop where you will be able to walk in and try the merchandise before you buy it.”

Shoppers will be able to walk into Dram and try small samples of the whisky on offer before they decide what to buy.

Darren said: “We will be selling an unusual array of whisky, mainly from Scotland, but also from places including the USA, Japan, England, Wales and Australia. It is opening up a new world for people.

“Our whiskies will be mainly from smaller, artisan distilleries, giving discerning whisky lovers a different choice to what they would see in the likes of Tesco or Co-Op.