Craft gin maker British Honey flies towards administration after funding failure

A producer of honey-based products including craft gins has revealed plans to call in administrators after failing to secure long-term funding and a sale of the business.

Oxfordshire-based British Honey Company (BHC), best known for its Keepr’s and Two Birds brands, said its shares on the Aquis exchange had been suspended pending the formal appointment of partners at FRP Advisory.

The company, which employs 80 people at its factory and warehouse in neighbouring Buckinghamshire, was founded in 2014 as a honey producer but later expanded as the craze for flavoured sprits, including craft gin, gathered pace both at home and abroad.

BHC had warned in December last year that a £750,000 loan it had agreed would only tide it over for so long.

“At that time the board made clear that further funding would need to be secured early this year, which the company has attempted to identify since this … Read more

F1 star Sebastian Vettel becomes the lead investor in BACX, plant-based performance energy drink

BACX, the performance energy drink startup, has announced a £1.2m seed funding round, led by four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel, who retired from F1 last year, exclusively used BACX in fitness training and in the car during the 2022 season, when racing for Aston Martin. Following his experience of using the products, and an alignment over sustainability undertakings and vision of the brand, he also joins BACX as its global brand advocate.

BACX was founded by Jason Baits-Tomlin in 2020 to create a higher performing and healthier energy and rehydration alternative, for athletes and sports enthusiasts.

BACX’s first product is Performance Fuel, available in two flavours, and certified by Informed Sport. Mixed with water, the all-plant concentrate gives complete nutrition to keep endurance sports athletes and enthusiasts energised and hydrated throughout their activities. The vegan-friendly product is made entirely from plant-based ingredients which contains no artificial preservatives, colours … Read more

Brits now more concerned about state of UK economy than before budget, polling finds

More than a third of Brits surveyed say the budget last week made them more concerned about the state of the UK’s economy.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled his spring statement in the House of Commons last week in light of rosier economic projections and within the government’s self-imposed fiscal rules.

He focused on childcare reforms, pensions and business investment but the OBR warned the nation’s tax burden will peak at a post-war high of 37.7 per cent of GDP in 2027-28.

People are also more concerned than reassured about their finances, Ipsos polling found.

Gideon Skinner, from Ipsos, said Brits realised “external factors are also to blame” but added that many still blame the Conservatives “for at least some of Britain’s economic difficulties”.

Meanwhile a separate poll for Opinium finds more than twice as many voters would prefer a Labour government led by Keir Starmer to be running public services … Read more