Education franchise Local Wine School grows turnover 42%

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 17 February, 2015

The UK-wide Local Wine School network has seen turnover grow 42% to £1.26 million in 2014, as seven new franchises opened.

The group, which claims to be the world's only independent wine education franchise, said like-for-like sales growth was up 22% as it grew to 21 branches. The group has forecast turnover to increase by another 35% in 2015 and is looking to the US to open its first overseas outlets.

Chris Powell Local Wine School chief Chris Powell toasts a cracking 2014, as sales grew 42%.

The group said Wine School owners and customers have been awarded a host of industry prizes including Edinburgh's Justin Martindale, owner of Lothian Wine School, who took home the Derouet Jameson Award for his WSET Diploma results; Jimmy Smith, owner of West London Wine School, who was shortlisted for the second time for the 2014 WSET Wine Educator of the year.

The group has also been granted approval to operate in New York state from the New York State Liquor Authority. "We are the first and only UK-based wine education company to have gained this approval after several representations to board meetings of the NYSLA. This clears the way to develop the search for the right partners for our US & overseas development - someone that shares our vision of wine education for everyone," said managing director Chris Powell.

It is also partnering with Wilson Drinks Report - Consumer Wine Panel, and continues its relationships with Ruinart Champagne as brand ambassador, M&S as in-store wine educators, and Languedoc producer Foncalieu to run a series of meet the winemaker masterclasses around the UK.

Printer friendly version