The 16th October is memorable in more ways than one for Louise and Doug Smith, owners of The Jug & Bottle, Bubwith’s specialist off-licence and delicatessen. As well as being their eldest little boy, Charlie’s birthday, it is also 10 years since they opened The Jug & Bottle!
To mark the occasion, a specially brewed draught beer; ‘10th Anniversary Ale’ will be launched at the 6th Bubwith Beer & Cider festival on 13th October. Brewed by Brown Cow at Barlow, only 250 bottles of the ale will be produced and numbered by hand. This limited edition beer will only be on sale for a month and will make the perfect gift for anyone with their own special occasion!
During the whole of the anniversary month of October, customers spending £20 or over will be entered into a free prize draw to win £100 to spend in the shop and on Tuesday 16th October every 10th customer will receive a £10 voucher for The Jug & Bottle.
Over the last decade, it is not just beer, wine and cider that The Jug & Bottle has provided for the people of Bubwith. Louise has helped raised almost £20,000 from organising the Beer & Cider festival, a ‘Sign-a-Slate’ event whilst the Old School was being renovated, as well as giving away over £4000 in prizes to support local charities and organisations in the village. She also helps run activities for the local tennis club, church and pre-school.
Numerous awards have also been won since 2002, including becoming the quickest outlet to win York CAMRA’s “Outlet of the Season” within just 7 months of opening! In addition, The Jug & Bottle was voted the National Community Off Licence of the Year in 2009 and became the first shop ever to retain a prestigious Drinks Retailing Award, when it was named Independent Cider Retailer of the Year for the second year in a row at a glittering ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel in London in February. That made it the third time in the last four years that The Jug & Bottle had won a category at The National Drinks Retailing Awards and they were also runner’s up on two other occasions.
It’s not just the products on sale that have led to recognition for The Jug & Bottle. In 2007, Louise and Doug received the Chairman’s Award for Enhancing the Built Heritage of the East Riding of Yorkshire. This was acknowledgement of the outstanding renovation that they had completed on The Old School and house – one of the older properties in Bubwith.
Outside of running the shop, the couple have also found time to get married in 2004 and have two children – Charlie in 2009 and Toby earlier this year in May.
Louise commented; “It has obviously been tough in the current economic climateto keep going, but we are committed to offering the best possible range of products for our customers as well as a high quality buying experience. We have always strived to be different from other outlets by stocking beers, wines and ciders that can not be found in mainstream stores. We have been rewarded with a loyal band of customers and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last ten years. Cheers!”
Notes to Editor
The Jug & Bottle, on Bubwith’s Main Street , just 12miles southeast of York sells real ale and cider to take away in jugs and has a vast array of bottled beer, cider & Perry from around the World as well as over 300 wines, champagnes, ports and spirits. The deli is crammed with wonderful olives, cheese, cakes, pate and homemade bread. There is also a wide range of unusual giftware and greeting cards. Louise strives to fill the shop with unusual and exciting goodies. Less than 1% of stock can be found in the Supermarkets or on the high street.
The Jug and Bottle, @ The Old School, Main Street, Bubwith, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO8 6LX
Tel: 01757 289707
Email: info@jugandbottle.co.uk Website: www.jugandbottle.co.uk
For more information, to arrange an interview with Louise & Doug Smith or for high resolution images, please contact Stephanie Meli at The Little Marketing Company on 01757 248943 or 07704 880626
Full Programme of 2012 Events:
October Saturday 16th ~ J&B 10th Anniversary Extravaganza!
October Monday 22nd Foreign Beer Tasting 7.30pm and 13th Bubwith Beer & Cider Festival 7pm £13
November Thursday 15th Wine Tasting ~ Beyond Chardonnay… lesser known grape varieties 7.30pm £11
November Sunday 25th 2pm, Monday 26th 11am & Wednesday 28th 7.30pm Wreath Making couse and Christmas decorations £27.50 (refreshments included)
December Thursday 6th Cheese & Wine Matching 7.30pm £14