Leeds-based market leader secures funding for national expansion to create eight new jobs

7 years ago

The UK’s leading supplier of pop up bars and drinks solutions has secured business funding worth £80,000.

Zest Mixology, formed in 2011 by successful entrepreneur Murdo MacLeod, has been granted a scale-up loan from HSBC to support business growth and development.

The financial backing will enable the company to open a London warehouse operation to better serve their customers located across the South of England, in addition to creating eight new full jobs over the next three years.

Having experienced double digit growth year-on-year since its launch, Zest Mixology has supplied pop up drinks services to more than 2500 corporate events to date, for firms such as Nokia, BMW, EE, Lloyds TSB, First Direct, Barclays and others.

Since launch, Zest Mixology has secured a total of £95,000 in funding. Having first established Zest Mixology, Murdo worked together with HSBC relationship manager Maria Rogers to formulate a robust business plan and organise a start-up loan of £15,000. As the business grew, Murdo was able repay the loan in just 24 months.

Managing director, Murdo MacLeod, said:

“We’re thrilled to have secured significant funding from HSBC which will enable us to scale the business and double sales revenue over the next 12 months. Colin Glass from WGN was instrumental in facilitating the initial meeting with the HSBC, through his passion for helping SME’s grow, so I thank him for that. We’re also looking forward to providing further employment opportunities and welcoming new members to our team. As a company, we’ve experienced a consistent history of year on year growth and an overwhelmingly positive market reaction to our corporate drinks services. There’s a bright future ahead for Zest Mixology.”

Comment from Andrew Bennett, HSBC’s Area Director of West and South Yorkshire:

“HSBC is passionate about supporting growing SMEs and assisting businesses to create jobs and expand into new markets. Zest Mixology is a dynamic business which has now made its mark in the drinks and leisure industry. We look forward to seeing the business grow and our continued support demonstrates our appetite to back businesses in Yorkshire and beyond.”

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About Zest Mixology

About Zest Mixology Zest Mixology is a first-class mobile drinks service that was founded in 2011 by Murdo MacLeod. The company delivers nationwide service for a broad range of events. Since the company’s initial inception, it boasts an impressive 30% year-on- year growth with 10% net profit. This year alone, the mixologists are set to turnover more than £400,000. Zest Mixology consists of a Managing Director, office manager and two experienced events specialists which ensure a consistent and professional service. From outsourced HR company, DLP, the firm has access to over 1000 bar-tenders on their database which are always available to call for numerous events across the country. The company caters for a broad spectrum of events and has provided their services for a vast quantity of high profile names such as Apple, Microsoft, Hilton and Nescafe, as well as catering for well-known supermarket chains such as Tesco, Asda and Iceland. In the past five years alone, the Zest Mixology team has delivered services to 2500 events, both large and small. This has resulted in them being employed for an astounding fifty events a month. As their business has flourished, they have extended their geographical reach from as far as central Scotland down to the South of England. Zest hosts a diverse range of events including corporate functions, exhibitions, weddings, festivals and private parties. After being up and running for half a decade, the company have thrived by extending their services to villas, yachts and parties in Ibiza and mainland Europe also. A market leader, the growing company provides customers with different types of bars, a team of award-winning cocktail mixologists and waiting staff. They also supply their clients with excellent quality furniture and beautifully-crafted glassware. Zest Mixology aims to excel every time, going above and beyond what is expected of them. The leading-market company also operate a national team for Funkin Purees, providing and equipping trainees with excellent skills, educating them about the industry with a broad range of techniques such as interactive training. Last year, Zest were the sole cocktail staffing supplier for MAMA group festivals, and Relentless Energy, whom they have been consultants for during the past three years. They cater for the brand by giving them an extensive range of cocktail options to choose from. These drinks are then served in numerous festivals throughout the year. This year, as the company goes from strength to strength, they intend to double the size of the business. They have hit the ground running this summer by supplying cocktail staff for 10 major UK festivals and providing the best quality VIP bars. Zest Mixology also employ staff that operate in existing bars, nightclubs and music/sporting venues - equipping clients with service that goes above and beyond the call of duty. See http://www.zestmixology.co.uk/ and for more information, contact Ellie MacDonald at MacComms on 07989 159138 / ellie@maccomms.net.