COTSWOLDS Distillery has successfully raised £3 million of equity through the crowdfunding platform Crowdcube and private investors.

After exceeding the initial target of £2 million in just a week, the funding period was extended due to overwhelming interest, resulting in one of Crowdcube’s biggest equity raises of 2018.

The funds raised will be invested in building the Cotswolds Distillery business and brand, from advertising and marketing to expanding and deepening sales and distribution networks.

Cotswolds Distillery recently announced plans for a new visitor centre at its Stourton site, housing tasting rooms, an expanded shop, exhibition space and café.

Dan Szor, founder and chief executive of the Cotswolds Distillery said: “We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of our new investors and the belief they’ve shown in the distillery.

"The total raised will transform the business, but we’re equally delighted to have gained over a thousand new shareholders – their support will carry us through the next chapter in the company’s journey and we couldn’t be more excited for it.”

In 2015, Cotswolds Distillery raised £1.5m of equity through CodeInvest. With this latest round of crowdfunding with Crowdcube, Cotswolds Distillery welcomes over 1,200 new investors to the business, raising the distillery’s profile even further around the globe.