A Scottish start-up drinks business has launched a range of craft sodas and is aiming to get them onto supermarket shelves after receiving funding of £10,000 to support its development.
The Paisley Drinks Company was launched in February by Brian O’Shea who had spent 20 years working for big retailers including Asda and Sainsbury’s before setting up his own consultancy to help small producers start trading with big buyers.
He received a loan from Transmit Start-Ups, which provides government-backed loans, to finance recipe development for his sodas made using only natural ingredients and processes – not sugar or artificial sweeteners – and blended with pure Scottish water.
The company said it offers a ‘fun and guilt-free alternative to chemical fizz’ with flavours ranging from strawberry coconut soda and rhubarb cream soda to blueberry ginger soda.
O’Shea said: “We wanted to develop unique flavours that would set the Paisley Drinks Company apart from others and that would really resonate with customers.
“For example, the strawberry coconut soda is based on Scotland’s favourite sweet treat, the snowball, a classic biscuit that’s filled with jam and sells by the millions. It’s also pretty incredible when mixed with rum and has become my own new favourite tipple.”
He explained that the idea for a craft soda came to him when his wife was pregnant and looking for an interesting, non-alcoholic drink when they went out to eat and they realised how limited the choice was.
He added: “We’ve seen the rise of craft beer and gin but there’s nothing when it comes to premium craft sodas and why should people who don’t drink alcohol have to be limited to a few dull options on the bottom of the menu?
Bars, cafes and restaurants in the Paisley area are already stocking the craft range and a new deal with a wholesaler will extend distribution to farm shops and other outlets. O’Shea said he now has his sights set on supermarket listings.
He said the company’s individual serving bottles have been popular with independent stockists and the next move is to consider other formats to allow it to compete with the big brands currently on the supermarket shelves.
Transmit Start-Ups has supported 1,168 entrepreneurs in Scotland with more than £13 million in finance. It said its loans offer entrepreneurs an alternative to traditional finance, with low interest repayments and high-impact mentoring.
The Paisley Drinks Company worked with Transmit Start-Ups’ Business Adviser Morag Kelly to secure its investment.
She said: “We’re thrilled to have played a part in getting the Paisley Drinks Company off the ground and into production and we really look forward to the next chapter in their start-up journey.
