Rutland Square Spirits
Written by: Ruaridh Aitken
Stand No: NA123
Tell us a bit about your company:
Rutland Square Gin is a Scottish craft Gin & Rum company with a rich personal story and cultural heritage whilst having strong socially responsible and sustainable values. It is a story which begins in India and travels across the globe to Scotland, mixing two cultures in the form of our unique and diverse Chai Spiced sipping Gin.
It is created using our unique family recipe which is built using very modern business principles, whilst keeping tradition in mind.
The White Oolong Tea that is one of our main botanicals, was chosen after many trips back and forth to India where over 250 different tea's were tried and tested during the recipe and production phase. After many journeys later, finally, White Oolong Tea from the Assam region of India was selected. Rutland Square Gin is the worlds 1st and only White Oolong Tea forward gin.
While in India on a family trip, the founder realised his passion whilst being inspired by his great grandfather Tej Ram who, from a humble beginning in Dibrugarh, Assam, the land of Tea, started a fledgling whisky blending enterprise. Using his legacy, he wanted to revive the enterprise so he decided to create a unique blend of spirits starting with gin using India's finest tea and Scotland, our home, the land of spirits with the purest of water.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
Edinburgh-based Rutland Square Spirits has launched its first Chai-Spiced Rum, expanding its signature chai-inspired portfolio and blending Scottish craftsmanship with Indian soul.
The launch marks a strategic evolution for the brand, already known for its Chai-Spiced Gin, as it builds a flavour-led spirits portfolio designed for global markets.
Crafted in small batches and bottled at 41% ABV, the Chai Spiced-Rum uses Caribbean molasses and aged in sherry casks to develop a ruby-rich depth.
The rum is infused with one of the worldâs most prized teas â White Oolong from Assam, a state in north-east India â that delivers a layered, distinctive sipping experience.
The Chai-Spiced Rum was soft-launched at the end of 2025 in duty-free stores across India and the United Arab Emirates, where initial stocks sold out.
The new rum is now being rolled-out through a network of international distribution partners and global online channels.
Founded in Edinburgh, Rutland Square Spirits positions itself at the intersection of Scottish distilling tradition and Indian chai heritage, the brand is described as âScottish spirit, Indian soulâ.
At Hand Crafted Drinks Magazine we were sent samples of this excellent spirit, which â as with all spirits that weâre sent â was enjoyed neat and over ice.
The golden liquid is immediately inviting, but on the nose thereâs little to reveal the depth of flavour and taste sensation that awaits.
The mouthfeel is smooth and warming, and the earthy notes come in, along with a distinct and very pleasant spiciness, providing a lingering heat. The Oolong tea provides further depth and complexity, underpinned with the Caribbean molasses, which adds authenticity of a genuine rum.
The finish is an orchestra of flavours and sensations, where everything comes together. The spiciness lingers with a rewarding, memorable warmth.
This a spirit that should be savoured on its own, where every sip should be celebrated.
With on-trade sales of rum continuing to grow (reaching ÂŁ1 billion by 2022), Rutland Square is well placed to benefit from the trend of rum-based cocktails and spiced rums, driven by demand from Gen Z consumers and the popularity of premium brands.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
Chess Marketing
Written by: Louise Ray
Stand No: NB120
Tell us a bit about your company:
At Chess Marketing, we believe that behind every great brand is a story that deserves to be heard. Weâre a practical, no-nonsense team of marketing enthusiasts dedicated to helping businesses find their voice and grow their market share. While our background spans 25 years across the B2B and B2C landscapes, weâre here at Northern Restaurant & Bar because weâre passionate about the North's vibrant hospitality scene and the people who make it happen.
We know that in this industry, your time is your most precious commodity. You donât need âoff-the-shelfâ templates or marketing jargon; you need a partner who acts as a true extension of your team. Our philosophy is simple: we treat your business as if it were our own. Whether youâre an independent gem looking to make your mark or a larger operator aiming to stay ahead of the curve, we provide bespoke marketing that focuses on one thing: making a real, tangible difference to your bottom line.
Visitors to our stand will find a team that values conversation over sales pitches. Weâre excited to showcase how we blend data-driven strategy with creative spark - from building visually stunning, high-conversion websites to managing brand reputations that foster deep customer loyalty. Weâre here to ensure your brand doesn't just join the conversation but leads it.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
Marketing shouldn't be a mystery, and it shouldn't feel like a chore. At the Northern Restaurant & Bar Show, the Chess Marketing team is here to take the weight off your shoulders. We know your passion is the food, the drink, and the guest experience - our passion is making sure those elements translate into a powerful brand and a packed venue.
We invite all attendees to visit us at Stand NB120 for a candid conversation about your current marketing challenges. Are your social media efforts converting into bookings? Is your website working as hard as your front-of-house staff? Is your brand message getting lost in the crowd? We are here to listen and offer real-world, practical advice tailored to your specific goals.
As a special highlight for NRB26, we are offering visitors the opportunity to book a free, no-obligation Marketing Audit or Consultancy Session. This is a deep dive into your current digital presence and strategy, where we identify exactly where you can improve and how to maximise your ROI.
Don't leave your next move to chance. Whether you're looking for a full brand refresh or just want to sense-check your current digital strategy, come and see us at Stand NB120. Letâs discuss how we can help you turn your vision into a measurable success.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
GAZER
Written by: Josie Robertson
Stand No: ND100
Tell us a bit about your company:
GAZER was founded on a simple belief: marketing should fix problems, not create more of them.
We started the agency after seeing too many food, drink and hospitality businesses spend serious money on activity that looked great on paper but didnât always deliver where it mattered at the till. Campaigns launched without being tested. POS rolled out because it âfelt right.â Budgets committed on gut instinct instead of real insight. It didnât sit right with us. There had to be a smarter way.
What really sets GAZER apart is our background. Every single member of our team comes from the front line of hospitality. Weâve worked behind bars, on shop floors and in operations. Weâve launched menus, managed suppliers, hit sales targets and dealt with the day to day pressures of running venues. We understand the reality of what works and what doesnât, because weâve lived it.
That experience shapes everything we do. We donât believe in theory led marketing or ideas that only work in a pitch deck. We focus on practical, commercially sound solutions that make sense in the real world.
Today, GAZER helps brands and venues grow through brand strategy, commercial planning, creative identity, content, digital, print and full funnel campaigns, all designed to drive performance, not just attention.
That same mindset led us to create GAZER OPTICS, our live trial platform. It allows brands to test new products, activations and POS in real venues before scaling, using EPOS data to remove guesswork and reduce waste.
At its heart, GAZER is about asking better questions, backing decisions with evidence and helping businesses invest with confidence.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
GAZER OPTICS is GAZERâs live Test, Learn & Scale platform, designed to validate new product development, trade marketing strategies, POS and brand activations before national rollout.
It connects leading drinks brands with progressive hospitality venues to trial new drinks, serves, marketing materials and activation mechanics in real world environments, with measurable data at the centre.
For brands and suppliers, OPTICS removes the risk from trade marketing investment. Instead of scaling on assumption, you can test in controlled live environments, access EPOS driven dashboards and track Rate of Sale, engagement and purchase behaviour. A/B test key variables to understand what truly moves the dial and know the âwho, where and whatâ behind your sales performance before committing full budgets.
For venues, signing up to GAZER OPTICS means partnering with leading brands to gain early access to new products, premium POS (including digital), exclusive events and supplier funded investment. Testing venues benefit from free stock, innovative activations and the opportunity to elevate customer experience, while helping brands reduce waste by testing smarter, not bigger.
Getting involved is simple. Sign up with a GAZER team member (it takes just 60 seconds), get matched to trials that suit your venue and customers, run the activation and share anonymised EPOS summary data and feedback in return for the full OPTICS benefits.
GAZER OPTICS brings structure, insight and accountability to trade marketing, turning assumption into evidence and investment into impact.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
Flawsome! Drinks
Written by: Charlie Stewart-Smith
Stand No: ND55
Tell us a bit about your company:
We grew up eating fruit from Nanâs orchard and from the garden at home. Fruit was grown in real weather, eaten in season and full of flavour, whether it looked perfect or not.
When we met at uni in Wales we kept seeing the Love Food, Hate Waste campaign by WRAP everywhere. It stated that 4.4 million apples are thrown away every day.Good fruit was rejected for size or looks, and whole pallets were turned away right when flavour was at its peak. Hearing that never sat right with us.
We decided to start a business even though we had £800 and twins on the way. We began buying wonky and surplus fruit so growers could sell more of what they worked so hard to grow. We chose to cold-press the fruit because it protects fresh fruit taste without needing to add flavourings, sugar or sweeteners. Cafés poured it and families stocked it, and people told us it tasted like real fruit, which is exactly what we wanted.
That is how Flawsome! took shape. We rescue what is in season, treat it with care and make drinks you actually want to drink every day. You get an easy way to enjoy real fruit while we waste less of it together.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
This year, weâll be showcasing our five wonky product ranges, including our newest additional, 1 Litre Cold-Pressed Juice which was designed specifically for OOH consumption. Made from 100% cold-pressed wonky fruit. Delicious as a straight pour or mix into cocktails and mocktails. Also great in smoothies, apple glazes and tray bakes. No added sugar or sweeteners. Never from concentrate.
The range was introduced to support growing juice consumption and comes in five flavours: golden, tropical pineapple juice, sweet and sour apple juice, punchy lime juice, sharp and zesty lemon juice, zingy and full-flavoured orange juice.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
Lanchester Wines
Written by: Ben Cotts
Stand No: NE120
Tell us a bit about your company:
Lanchester Wines is one of the UKâs leading independent wine importers, combining over 45 years of industry experience with a fresh, forwardâthinking approach to supplying the hospitality trade. Still proudly family owned, we work with pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and national operators across the country, offering a wide portfolio of quality wines sourced from worldâclass producers who share our passion for excellence.
Weâre known for being refreshingly modern in how we work. Our portfolio is carefully curated to include characterful, exciting wines for every style of venue, and our team prides itself on building genuine, longâterm relationships with customers. We are big enough to get things done yet small enough to care, with dedicated representatives across the UK ready to support the on-trade with insight, training and tailored wine lists.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and has been long before it became the industry norm. Weâve invested more than ÂŁ13 million in renewable heat and energy systems and today our County Durham-based business is powered almost entirely by our own wind turbines and solar generation. These pioneering initiatives have won multiple sustainability awards and position us as one of the most environmentally responsible wine businesses in the UK.
At NRB this year, weâre also proud to spotlight a major milestone in packaging innovation: the worldâs first 300g wine bottle. This lighter design, produced with 30% recycled glass, cuts carbon footprint by 25% compared with standard 400g bottles, a significant step forward for greener wine service in the on-trade.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
Northern Restaurant and Bar is the perfect place to explore whatâs new at Lanchester Wines, and our stand this year brings together smart serving solutions and standout sparkling wines. Whether youâre looking to refresh your wine list or discover more efficient ways to serve, thereâs plenty to taste and talk about.
Our Lindr draught wine machine will be pouring throughout the show, giving operators the chance to see just how simple and efficient wine on tap can be. Available with one, two or three outputs, Lindr delivers perfectly chilled wine at speed with no gas required. It connects directly to our 20âlitre KeyKegs of premium Italian wines across red, white and sparkling styles, ensuring consistent quality and a tidy, lowâwaste setup ideal for busy service. If youâve been looking for Lindr, youâll find it here in action.
Alongside the tech, weâre bringing a full lineâup of Italian sparkle for visitors to enjoy. Baglietti Prosecco and Prosecco RosĂ© always draw attention, thanks to their striking bottles and elegant flavour profiles. You can also taste Ballancin Prosecco Superiore, known for its refined character, and Trevisana Raboso Frizzante, our chilled sparkling red that never fails to spark conversation. Winemaker Cristian Tombacco will be joining us to share insights into the vineyards and winemaking behind these wines.
To round things off, weâll also be opening Champagne, CrĂ©mant de Bourgogne and two 0% sparkling options, giving operators a complete look at our sparkling portfolio from classic to contemporary and alcoholâfree.
Whether youâre exploring draught wine solutions or searching for your next standout sparkling pour, the Lanchester Wines stand is well worth a visit. Drop by, have a taste and discover how we can support your drinks offer for the year ahead.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
Boujee BX
Written by: Samuel Dawson
Stand No: NG108
Tell us a bit about your company:
Boujee Floral Concepts was founded in 2019, evolving from humble beginnings as a boutique floral gift box company into a recognised name in luxury floral design and event styling.
Built on the expertise of directors with backgrounds in large-scale corporate events and high-end weddings, the business has grown organically and strategically. Leveraging decades of industry experience, Boujee Floral Concepts has expanded into a world-class provider of wedding floristry, interior installations and bespoke event design.
Today, we offer distinctive floral and gifting solutions tailored to both private and corporate clients who expect exceptional quality, creativity and presentation. Every concept is carefully curated to reflect the clientâs vision while delivering refined, luxury aesthetics.
Our highly skilled design team collectively brings over 50 years of experience across weddings, corporate events, luxury gifting and bespoke floristry. This depth of knowledge ensures that every project is executed with precision, creativity and meticulous attention to detail.
Based in Cheshire, we work across the UK and internationally, creating unique, first-class events and installations. Each design is fully customised to exact specifications, delivering unforgettable weddings, immersive interiors and extraordinary celebrations.
The Boujee Events team specialises in elevating lifeâs most meaningful moments â from proposals and gender reveal celebrations to christenings, milestone birthdays and weddings. Every Boujee Floral Concepts creation is thoughtfully designed and handcrafted by experienced florists, ensuring a seamless blend of artistry, luxury and personalisation.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
From high-end weddings and private celebrations to corporate events and interior installations, Boujee Floral Concepts provides strategic, design-led floral solutions tailored to deliver exceptional visual impact and flawless execution.
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?
MONIN
Written by: RĂ©a NĂ Riada
Stand No: ND11
Tell us a bit about your company:
Bringing more than 100 years of flavour mastery to the hospitality industry, MONIN is the UK's #1 syrup brand in the on-trade, supplying bars, coffee shops, restaurants and everywhere in-between with premium syrups, fruit mixes, concentrates, sauces, frappé powders and liqueurs.
The pioneers of flavour innovation offering more than 150 flavours â with recent launches such as the much-awaited and trending Hot Honey syrup, the nostalgic and indulgent Maple Pecan syrup, and the vibrant and re-energising Refreshers range â MONIN delivers a range of flavours and creative tools that bartenders can rely on, whether building a cocktail menu from scratch or streamlining classics for speed and consistency.
Available from MONINâs importer Bennett Opie, as well as across various wholesalers in the UK, MONINâs portfolio of products is acclaimed, and independent research in 2021 ranked it as the best tasting syrup brand with 99,537 drinks made per hour with MONIN products in the UK alone.
Due to its scale and varied portfolio of products, MONIN is unique in offering bespoke services to help operators maximise sales including the creation of personalised trends reports or marketing strategies, sharing innovative recipes and in-outlet POS, as well as delivering in-person training to staff to upskill their drink-making capabilities.
A family-owned business founded in France by Georges Monin, MONIN has become the trusted brand of choice and preferred partner for hospitality and restaurant professionals worldwide with 173 million bottles sold in 2023.
Tell us about your latest product(s), promotions or launches visitors can hope to see on your stand:
Our 2026 innovations align with key global trends shaping the UK market, from shifting consumer behaviours to emerging flavours set to drive menu development. We developed our Hot Honey syrup in response to the surging SWICY (sweet + spicy) trend, now appearing across both hot and cold beverages. Our Maple Pecan Pie syrup taps into growing nostalgia- and indulgence-led preferences that have defined 2025 and are continuing into 2026. Meanwhile, our newest launch responds to a rising demand for refreshers, a re-energising alternative to traditional caffeinated drinks, particularly among younger audiences seeking vibrant and visually appealing beverages. The new Refreshers range is built around three distinct flavour profiles: Tropical Splash (mango, passion fruit, pineapple), Orchard Squeeze (peach, apricot, cherry) and Apple Berry Boost (apple, blueberry, goji berry).
Why is exhibiting at Northern Restaurant & Bar an unmissable opportunity for you?