Case Study: A Start Up Gin Distillery

The Harrogate Distillery started business in 2015 and in common with all start-ups has many competing priorities that the founders, Toby and Jane Whittaker, have to manage every day.

The distillery needed a cost effective integrated solution which would be easy to operate, enabling them to work efficiently and free up time to focus on their business. It needed to provide immediate access to “real time” management information to monitor critical aspects of the business and enable the business to grow by quickly developing different sales channels in an increasingly competitive market.

The overall solution is based on Xero, a sophisticated yet simple to use cloud based accounting software which enables businesses to efficiently meet their day to day accounting needs whilst providing “real time” management insight and tracking the business performance. Xero is complemented by Receipt Bank saving more time through easy processing of purchase invoices and expense receipts with automatic electronic filing in Xero avoiding the need for paper copies.

The introduction of iZettle provided a simple portable electronic point of sale system enabling sales to be made by cash or cards at off site locations such as country shows in addition to locally at the distillery. The distillery then used Rocketspark to create a great looking website together with an on line shop.

iZettle and Rocketspark are fully integrated into Xero so there is no need to re-key data. In addition, Xero, Receipt Bank and Rocketspark are available by monthly subscription and iZettle is charged on a transactional basis so costs are spread with immediate access to upgrades and improved functionality.

Please contact Paul Allsop (paul.allsop@ashtonallsop.co.uk) or Martin West (martin.west@ashtonallsop.co.uk) for more information.

STOP PRESS: Whittaker’s Gin was selected as Fortnum and Mason’s White Spirit of the Month for November 2015 and is available for purchase at www.whittakersgin.com

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

“We have used Ashton Allsop as initially as our accountants and now effectively as our FD for almost two years now. During this time we have seen a significant step up in our systems, ReceiptBank and Xero for example and now have a much improved grip on the business financials - all delivered in a friendly and cost effective way. We consider Ashton Allsop to be an essential partner in our business.”

Clark Benefit Consulting Limited

"Our business was growing and our old accountants just weren’t able to offer the timely and proactive advice that we needed. Paul and Martin came highly recommended so we moved to Ashton Allsop. The difference was night and day and they had an immediate impact, they spotted issues not seen before and identified allowances we should have used from HMRC. We speak regularly, we work with them through Xero and other tools they make available and everything is made clear and understandable. We were so impressed that we’ve moved our bookkeeping and payroll and they now complete our R&D applications. They provide a fantastic service and have saved us so much time and money, whilst reducing our total accounting costs. We consider them an extension of our company and couldn’t work without them."

Stephen Hickey, CEO Digital Control Rooms

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