Poetic License distillery creates hand sanitiser

An award-winning distillery is using its skills to create an alcohol-based hand rub to help beat the spread of COVID-19.

Poetic License, based at The Roker Hotel, Sunderland, decided to use the ethanol – which is part of the distilling process – to create 2000 bottles of sanitiser, made to World Health Organisation specifications.

The idea was the brainwave of company owner Nicola Foster-Hird who wanted to  find a way of supporting NHS staff but also give the general public the opportunity to get access to a supply.

A number of bottles are being donated to the NHS, while they can also be bought for £3 for a 100 ml bottle, with a maximum order of four bottles per customer.

At the same time anyone who purchases a bottle of gin, vodka or gin liqueur from the Poetic Licence online shop, will get a bottle of hand rub free.

“We have not done this to make any profit, the cost is purely to cover our costs,” said Jonathan Graham, managing director of Poetic License.

“This is about us being able to do something for the community.”

To further support the NHS Poetic License has joined forces with mixer brand The Artisan Drinks Company to produce a number of kits which will be given staff at ICU at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

The kits include a miniature Poetic License gin, a bottle of hand rub and one of Artisan’s bespoke mixers.

“It’s just our way of being able to say thank you for all of the incredible work they are doing,” said Jonathan.

Steve Cooper, managing director of The Artisan Drinks Company echoed his words.

“We were delighted to get the opportunity to contribute to the gift boxes and add our thanks for the amazing job the NHS staff are doing,” he said.