27 April 2023, 18:00 - 22:00
21, Trinity Gardens, Pandon, Newcastle, NE1 2HH
When you think of entrepreneur Alan Ferguson OBE it’s likely you’ll picture him alongside striking baby blue trucks all proudly emblazoned with the name of the 96-year old family business, and the largest independent haulage company in the North East, Fergusons Transport.
Headquartered in Cramlington, the company has become synonymous with trust and a quality customer experience, but venture North to the ancient stone-built market town of Wooler and you’ll discover the site of Alan and wife Eileen’s newest venture – the home of Ad Gefrin distillery.
In 2018, with a dream to turn the old Redpath Bros Haulage site into an iconic tourist attraction, Alan and Eileen, along with the support of their family, put plans in motion to build a world-class visitor experience and whisky distillery which would pay homage to Northumberland’s unique Anglo-Saxon heritage.
What happened next is a story of regeneration, redevelopment and rediscovery, as the pair started work on demolishing the existing site, ready for its new chapter.
It hasn’t been without its pitfalls – from supply chain to labour shortages due to the pandemic – but Ad Gefrin’s much anticipated 2023 opening has been four years in the making.
One of the biggest investments in tourism in Northumberland, Ad Gefrin celebrates and showcases the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland and re-awakens the Northumbrian tradition for whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years.
Opening in Spring 2023, it’s been named one of the most anticipated museum openings of the year, and at our upcoming focus dinner with both Alan and Eileen, you’ll hear more about how the Fergusons are once again stimulating potential in the North of Northumberland.
The Small Print - This event is exclusively for entrepreneurial members of the Forum and costs £75+VAT for a three-course meal, payable in advance.
By registering to attend this dinner you agree that your place is non-transferrable. We are unable to reimburse this cost if cancellations are received after 12noon on Monday 24th April.
