Ad Gefrin opens today and the new visitor experience and distillery is focusing on Northumbrian hospitality to get guests coming through the doors, and hopefully returning in the future.
Co-founders Eileen and Alan Ferguson believe that the £16m investment will help to revitalise Wooler and hope that the brand new attraction will provide jobs to local people for generations. The project has already created more than 60 jobs, and 40 of those are in its 'Huskynn', meaning house team.
Of those employed at the site, 43% live in Wooler itself and the majority live in the wider Northumberland and Borders community. When the building was handed over the Ferguson family and the Front of House staff, or Folc as they have become known, earlier this month, many were amazed at the town's newest addition.
Bob Flint, a museum guide, has lived in Wooler with his wife since 2017. A role at Ad Gefrin brought him out of retirement.
He said: "Before the building was built, the site was somewhat of an eyesore, but now we have such a fabulous building and hopefully we're going to bring a lot more tourists to Wooler. My wife is the manager of the local hospice charity shop so I get volunteered quite a bit to work up there, but seeing the distillery from the grass roots as it grew when I walked past to go to the high street, I thought I'd really like to work there - and here I am!"
Hugh Logan, born and brought up at Fenton near Wooler, has taken a part time role at Ad Gefrin. He said: "After seeing this project in the making for the last four years, it has blown my imagination far beyond anything I expected. It is brilliant for Wooler and the wider Glendale area."
Sarah Ennis, who previously worked as a mental health nurse and had her own dog walking business, was delighted to find a job working with other people. She said: "I especially liked the idea of being part of a family. Everyone has gelled and we are all part of the same team and I already really feel part of the Ad Gefrin FOLC."
Wooler resident Lisa Pinkney, another member of the Front of House team called the building said the "absolutely stunning" building had "exceeded her expectations."
Archie Hammond has recently relocated to Wooler with his fiancé, where he will be working as an Alchemist in the tasting room. He said: "We wanted to move somewhere rural and moved here to Wooler with no specific plans. I saw this job advertised, thought it sounded appealing and I have been appointed to a full-time role.
"The building is absolutely beautiful, but for me what has stood out since we started last week is the culture, community, and commitment from everyone. The Ferguson family, directors and my colleagues have created a welcoming and hospitable working environment, and I can honestly say that we are a community within a community."
And museum guide Bob hopes that the strong working community at Ad Gefrin will make it a welcoming environment for guests. He finished: "I would hope that we'll bring in a lot more tourists, we're already known by the hikers.
"It's the tourists coming from further afield, probably the ones coming from the Netherlands and Germany. We see a lot coming towards Scotland and maybe when they come over that bridge and see this beautiful building in front of them, maybe they'll just stop off and come in.
"That gives us a chance to promote more of Northumberland and say "why go to Scotland? Stay with us in England!""
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