Bullards is a name that’s been synonymous with Norwich since 1837, and has strengthened its local links further with an exclusive deal with East Anglia’s leading wholesaler, D&F McCarthy Ltd.
The award-winning spirits brand has a fascinating history in the area spanning six generations, producing beer and spirits for discerning tastes. This new trade deal with another long-established East Anglian brand will create a strong partnership for the local economy and enable Bullards to reach new customers in the retail and on-trade space.
“We are very excited to have signed this exclusive deal with D&F McCarthy on our full range of spirits,” says Rob Breakwell, Consultant Director of Bullards Spirits. “Given our rich local history, it’s really important for us to pay homage to that and team up with another leading brand that also has strong roots in the local area. D&F McCarthy boasts over 140 years in the business and prides itself on the same values that Bullards has built itself on since the beginning,”
Bullards originated as The Anchor Brewery in 1837, producing a range of hugely popular beers and distributing wine and spirits, becoming an established name across East Anglia, but this ceased in 1966. The brand revived itself in 2015 as Bullards Spirits, focusing on the production of handcrafted, artisanal gin and has created a name for itself, winning World’s Best London Dry Gin, Distillery of The Year and six Global Gin Guide Awards.
With a bar in the heart of Norwich, The Tipsy Anchor, and a tasting bar in Norwich’s flagship department store, Jarrolds, Bullards is keen to create new and stronger roots in its home city, whilst becoming the spirit brand of choice for discerning East Anglia based drinkers.
“D&F McCarthy provides the broadest product portfolio that East Anglia has to offer and we are thrilled that Bullards is now part of this,” continues Rob. “Prior to Covid, 90 per cent of our business was run through pubs, bars and restaurants but this stopped overnight when they had to close their doors. Bullards has had to refocus in the last few years and market directly to consumers to push online sales. This partnership with D&F McCarthy signifies a new chapter for Bullards as we again rebuild our trade business with both retail and the on-trade across the region.”
D&F McCarthy is East Anglia's leading supplier of wholesale produce, supplying quality seasonal fresh fruit & vegetables from local farms and worldwide. Working with a spirits brand is a new departure for the business. Comments Sam McCarthy, Managing Director at D & F McCarthy Ltd, “Bullards and McCarthys are two family businesses entrenched in local history, so to be working together after six generations apiece is a remarkable story. Bullards’ brand is built on quality above all else, and that’s precisely the standard we aim for at McCarthys.”
