Premium drinks distributor and brandbuilder Oak & Still Limited has received a £150,000 loan from the East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme, managed by The FSE Group. The funding will help the business grow its team and bring several new spirits brands to market as it continues to expand across the UK.
Founded in 2020, Oak & Still helps both established and emerging drinks producers launch and scale premium spirits in the UK. The company works across retail, wholesale, ontrade and online channels, with listings that include major supermarkets, national wholesalers and leading ecommerce platforms.
Alongside its agency work, Oak & Still is further building its portfolio of majorityowned and jointventure brands, which currently includes the awardwinning Dangerous Don mezcal. Two new inhouse brands are planned for launch in the next 12 months with a runway of innovation-led products to follow over the medium term.
With the UK alcoholic drinks market valued at £60bn and the spirits segment alone worth £16.8bn, Oak & Still is well positioned to benefit from continued sector growth, particularly the rising demand for distinctive, storydriven products. This loan will enable the hire of new team members to help accelerate brand development and marketing activity and support future scalability.
Luke Brown, Founder and Managing Director of Oak & Still, said: “This investment from FSE comes at a key moment for us as we accelerate our portfolio development and strengthen our commercial team. Our focus is on building and scaling distinctive brands that resonate with consumers, while continuing to provide our partners with strong market access through our established distribution network. The support from FSE will help us move faster and make the most of the opportunities ahead.”
Matt Punter, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: “Oak & Still has already demonstrated impressive momentum, driven by the team’s deep industry experience and proven ability to get brands noticed. The business combines strong commercial partnerships with a clear strategy for developing its own highmargin products. We are pleased to support the next stage of its growth journey and look forward to seeing the company continue to scale.”
The East of England Regional Growth Loan Scheme (RGLS) is managed by The FSE Group. Loans between £50,000 and £500,000 are available to established incorporated businesses based within the East of England that have a minimum annual turnover of £100,000. The funding can be used for a range of growth activities as well as to service short to medium-term trade and contract finance requirements. The scheme aims to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity and supports SMEs that have the potential to deliver high-growth and employment opportunities across the East of England region.