THE Belfast-based Cocktail Keg Company has announced nine new jobs after landing a £500,000 deal with Musgrave.
The supply contract will see the firm’s pre-mix cocktails stocked in SuperValu, Centra, Mace and Drinks Inc.
Paul Burns and Anthony Farrell’s firm has been supplying bars and restaurants with premium, handmade cocktails since 2017.
But the pandemic prompted a business transition to off-sales.
Sales to supermarkets, off licences and online home delivery took off quickly and they were crowned regional ‘Best New Regional Start Up’ at the Intertrade Ireland’s Seedcorn Awards last November.
While production remains based at Bankmore Square in Belfast, the Cocktail Keg Company has now moved its sales and development staff team to the Innovation Factory in the west of the city.
Paul Burns said the Musgrave deal substantially increase the firm’s off-trade business.
“Musgrave is Ireland’s leading food retail, wholesale and food service company, and this partnership demonstrates how our business is going from strength to strength,” he said.
Musgrave NI trading director, Julie Cherry added: “Musgrave spends £160 million on local food and drink each year and works in partnership with 150 local suppliers.
“This latest partnership is a further example of our commitment to supporting local and we are looking forward to offering this premium brand to our customers.”
Owned by Belfast City Council, the Innovation Factory is operated by Oxford Innovation. The £9.1m business hub was funded by Belfast City Council and Invest NI with support from the European Regional Development Fund.
