insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 14 - April 2016 | Page 13

NEWS

WORLD’S FIRST AIRPORT GIN DISTILLERY OPENS AT GATWICK
London Gatwick Airport and The Restaurant
Group have announced the opening of the
world’s first airport gin distillery, following a
significant surge in the popularity of premium
gins. Creating a unique gin called ‘The Nicholas
Culpeper London Dry Gin’, named after the
famous botanist and distilled from an exotic
blend of ingredients, including Chinese cassia
bark and angelica root from India, the distillery
is now open landside in the North Terminal.
Serving both food and drink, customers of
The Nicholas Culpeper are able to pop in for
a pre-holiday cocktail, or a bite to eat against
the backdrop of the functioning gin still, which
produces up to 12 litres of gin per batch.
Gatwick and The Restaurant Group teamed up
to create the gin after seeing a significant jump
in the sales of premium gin over the last five
years. Premium gins now account for 40 per
cent of all Gatwick’s gin sales, compared to 10
per cent of sales in 2011.
A bespoke London Dry Gin recipe has been
specially created by The Nicholas Culpeper’s
master of gin, Matthew Servini. An expert in
16th and 17th century gin recipes, Matthew
has created a botanical recipe modelled on
that of traditional London Dry Gin, made with

ingredients sourced from across the globe.
Each bottle is truly unique, with its own stamp
including the batch number, production date
and signature of the distiller that day.
Nick Ayerst, managing director of The
Restaurant Group, said: “We never really

believed that it would be possible to distil
gin in an airport. The teamwork and tenacity
to create and deliver The Nicholas Culpeper
has been unlike anything I’ve ever known
before. I really can’t wait to open the doors to
our guests and see their reaction to this truly
unique dining offering.”

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FROM HASKINS GARDEN CENTRE
FOR REDEHALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL PUPILS
Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, West Sussex, has donated 12 airpurifying plants to Redehall Preparatory School in nearby Smallfield.
Year 2 and 3 pupils, Matthew Wright and Abi England, visited the centre
to collect the plants for their classrooms, music room, school hall and
two offices. The children are learning about the importance of plants
oxygenating their environment and the calming effect they can have.
They are also being taught how to nurture the plants and will take turns in
looking after them.
Lisa Looker, brand director for Haskins Garden Centres, said: “We wish
to encourage local schools’ learning initiatives in any way we can. As
well as teaching the pupils about plant care, the clean air plants we’ve
donated include peace lilies and tropical ferns, which promote a healthier
environment for children. We look forward to hearing about the positive
benefits the pupils experience.”
Mrs J. R. Wright, headmistress at Redehall Preparatory School, added:
“As well as nurturing plants, Redehall prides itself on nurturing every pupil
and is experiencing continued academic success. The plants encourage
a healthy learning environment and what’s more, the students really enjoy
looking after them.” 
Clean air houseplants are available at Haskins Garden Centres in Snowhill
and Roundstone, West Sussex. www.haskins.co.uk

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