The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD) has confirmed plans for reopen at its original South Park home in June 2027, bringing Oxford’s first legal distillery back to the city after a three-year absence.
The announcement marks the latest chapter in a dramatic journey for the award-winning spirits producer, which ceased operations in Oxford in 2024 before its parent company relocated production away from the city.
In a statement released by the company, directors described the move as an “amphibious resurrection in full spring”, signalling not only a return to the historic Cheney Barn site in Headington but also the revival of one of Oxford’s best-known artisan brands.
The company confirmed it has successfully reacquired its original stills – Nautilus, Nemo and “the mighty Columns” – alongside all TOAD trademarks and intellectual property.
“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,” the company said.
“Oxford’s first distillery, The Oxford Artisan Distillery, will reopen on its original site in June 2027.”
Founded in 2017 by Tom Nicolson, Cory Mason and Tagore Ramoutar, TOAD became Oxford’s first legal distillery and gained national recognition for its commitment to sustainable, grain-to-glass spirits production.
The distillery was also the UK’s first certified organic grain-to-glass distillery and became known for using heritage and biodiverse grain varieties sourced from farms around Oxfordshire.
Operating from a converted Grade II-listed barn on Cheney Lane at the top of South Park, the distillery produced a range of award-winning gins, vodkas and rye whiskies, while helping to establish Oxford as a destination for craft spirits.
The future of the distillery became uncertain following investment from drinks accelerator Distill Ventures in 2022. Tom Nicolson subsequently departed the company, while the business later rebranded as Fielden and announced plans to relocate production to Yorkshire.
In May 2024, TOAD ceased trading from its Oxford site, prompting concerns among supporters and former staff that the city would lose its only distillery. A campaign led by Nicolson and the Friends of TOAD group sought to preserve the site and its equipment, arguing that the business should continue operating in Oxford.
At the time, Fielden stated that retaining the Oxford operation was not commercially viable, citing the condition of the stills, the constraints of the site and the costs associated with redevelopment.
Since then, Nicolson has worked through a new venture, The Oxford Spirit Group, to secure the future of the former distillery site. The company successfully obtained the lease for the council-owned property and submitted planning proposals aimed at retaining and revitalising the existing distillery infrastructure.
The latest announcement confirms those efforts have culminated in a full revival of the TOAD brand.
In a LinkedIn post, Nicolson said the company had secured the trademarks, intellectual property and key assets associated with the original business.
“We are planning to reopen on the same site next year, with the aim of creating our delicious TOAD spirits and bringing back many of our fantastic original team members,” he said.
The company believes the revival will build on nearly a decade of brand recognition and innovation.
“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,” the company said.
While further details about the reopening have yet to be announced, the confirmation will be welcomed by supporters who campaigned to keep distilling alive in Oxford and preserve a business that became synonymous with the city’s growing food and drink scene.
If plans proceed as expected, June 2027 will see the return of a pioneering local producer whose story appeared destined to end just two years ago.
