Double launch of drink sheds

Competition is bubbling in the out- and edge-of-town off-licence market as two drinks retailers develop warehouse concepts.

Whitbread-owned Thresher’s first 930m2 Booze Barn opens on Saturday at Staples Corner Retail Park in London and features a tasting area, manned information point and a children’s area.

Interiors were created by Ampersand in conjunction with Thresher’s in-house design team, says a Thresher spokeswoman. Nucleus Design created a red and yellow identity as well as stationery, signage, point-of-sale material and a sub-identity for the Booze Barn Discount Card. If successful, a roll-out will follow.

Davies Baron is branding and handling interiors for Victoria Wine’s concept Wine Warehouse. The client could not comment on a date or location for a pilot site.

Allied Domecq, which owns Victoria Wine, has opened its first off-licence under its newly acquired Firkin pub brand. Interiors and branding of the pilot site in London’s Islington are by Portland Interior Design in Newcastle.