Oxford Artisan Distillery announces plan to reopen next year

The Oxford Artisan Distillery, known as TOAD, traded for seven years from its sight in an historic barn near South Park in Headington.

But it ceased operations in Oxford in 2024, when the company scaled-up to its partner’s premises in Yorkshire to continue trading as The Yorkshire Distilling Company.

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Plans have been in the works to revive the distillery in the grade II listed character barn, Cheney Barn in South Park which has stood empty since the company left, for several years.

The latest update from the directors has now announced the triumphant return of TOAD, describing the step as an ‘amphibious resurrection in full spring’.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery (Image: Contributed)

A statement shared by the company said: “We’re delighted to announce that we have successfully reacquired the original stills, Nautilus, Nemo, and the mighty Columns, along with all TOAD trademarks and intellectual property.

“Oxford’s first distillery, The Oxford Artisan Distillery, will reopen on its original site in June 2027.”

Tom Nicolson launched the award-winning gin distillery 2017, with its range expanding to produce whisky and vodka, with a unique focus on the biodiversity of its grains in the spirits’ production.

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For a time, the outfit had planned to reopen under a new brand The Oxford Spirit Group, but plans submitted to reopen the site under this company did not progress last year.

The company added: “This marks an exciting new chapter.

“TOAD carries nine years of established brand recognition as the first distillery in Oxford’s history, the UK’s first registered organic distillery, and the world’s first biodiverse distillery.”