Join the Nautilus Smugglers’ Club ­— plan for pop-up bar becomes curated gin delivery due to lockdown

He had bought a horse trailer and dressed it up to look like the Nautilus submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Scene from which to serve craft spirits ­— and as he was toasting the launch of the new business and looking forward to enjoying festivals and events, as well as holding gin tasting sessions at people's homes ­— the pandemic struck.

His dream was suddenly shattered the coronovirus outbreak­ ­— no festivals, no bars, no parties, no tasting and said Simon, who lives in Horwich, "no fun".

But he was not going to let his new found knowledge gained through meeting gin producers and gin lovers around the country go to waste.

Simon, who also works as a customer services manager, explained: "One of the best things about serving gin was making recommendations to people keen to try something new and exciting,” he says. “If I couldn’t hand the glass over to them, perhaps they’d still let me curate their lockdown evenings in. So the Nautilus Smugglers’ Club was born.”

Offering subscriptions, Simon, or the Captain as his customers have started to refer to him, drops off his cargo on the doorstep in costume for those who live in the North-West. This includes a bottle of the gin of the month, some high-quality mixers, garnishes specially chosen for the gin and tasting notes, all in a nautically themed package.

Customers simply choose whether they would like the delivery every one, two or three months.

Simon, aged 44, who says the idea is borne out of him having a fun mid -life crisis and love of festivals, said: “I can’t be there with them, but I love the idea of the excitement of opening the box and the intrigue with which they approach the gin. Also, I miss the social aspect of the bar so this way I get to meet people ,albeit at their doorstep and from a distance”.

He said that the word about the Nautilus Smugglers' Club is spreading with more people getting onboard for a delivery.

The business also prides itself on its green credentials.

“Over the last few months, there have been a lot of questions asked about the society we want to live in. There is no plastic used in the boxes, and when I deliver I’ll collect any glassware to reuse. We’re also signed up to the Offset Earth project which plants trees to offset our carbon emissions, and funds climate projects," said Simon.

Simon added:“Running the Smugglers’ Club doesn’t really interfere with running the bar ­— it complements it, but I’m asthmatic so I’m not really in a rush to put myself at risk quite yet. I totally understand why others are keen and have enormous sympathy for all of my friends in the hospitality industry who are putting so much effort into creating safe social environments. I can’t wait to get out there again but now isn’t the time for me.”

For more information visit https://nautilusbar.uk/