Demolition work paves the way for £10million whisky distillery and visitor centre in Northumberland

Planning permission for the development of the Ad Gefrin Distillery and visitor centre on the former Redpath’s Yard in Wooler was granted in September.

Disused buildings on the site have now been razed to the ground, with the stonework retained for re-use, ahead of building works scheduled to begin this spring.

“We have embarked on the complex procurement process necessary for a project of this size to identify our preferred contractor,” said a spokesman for the developers.

“In the meantime we continue to clear the site in the hope that we will be able to start construction in the late spring.”

The Ad Gefrin Distillery – named after the Anglo-Saxon palace at nearby Yeavering Bell – is the brainchild of the Ferguson family, who have run businesses in Northumberland for more than 100 years.

At the heart of the venture will be the production of a new Single Malt whisky and niche spirits that it is hoped will not only become the pride of the area and the tipples of tourists, but exported internationally.

There will also be a shop, restaurant and exhibition areas showcasing the best of Northumbria.

Up to 50 jobs will be created, many of them long-term, bringing employment to local people and new skilled workers to the area.

The overall cost is £10.4million, with £5.8million secured through a bank loan and further grants lined up of £3million from the Borderlands deal, which is subject to a business case, and £1million from the North East Rural Growth Network (NERGN).

Northumberland County Council has granted £600,000.

The project must start on site by spring 2020 in order to secure the full funding package, as the NERGN programme is coming to an end and all grants must be spent by March 2021.

It is hoped the attraction will be open by summer 2021 with the aim of attracting 49,000 visitors a year by 2024, generating £5million of annual visitor spend.

The development site has been disused for more than 20 years.