Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How do you update AWRS registration when your business changes operation (e.g., moving from contract production to own production), and what customer compliance checks are required?
**Updating AWRS registration:** Members report that AWRS changes are managed through the **Government Gateway** login you used when you first set up your AWRS account. Click on AWRS within the Gateway and update your information there. One member noted difficulty finding contact details, but this online process appears to be the standard route. **Customer compliance checks:** The community has settled on a pragmatic two-tier approach: - **For wholesale/trader customers:** Create a "New Trader Form" requiring AWRS registration, VAT number, and company registration details. Use the **Government Gateway AWRS check tool** (https://www.gov.uk/check-alcohol-wholesaler-registration) to verify their registration status. Follow up with a "Compliance sheet" where you record your own verification results: Companies House lookup, Creditsafe check, VAT check, AWRS registration confirmation. Request their accounts payable email and phone number for credit control purposes. - **For retail/on-premises customers (pubs, bars):** Ask for their **Premises Licence** and verify it against the local council register. The standard T&Cs and extensive ID/proof-of-residence forms are not universally applied to one-off retail customers. **What HMRC actually requires:** Members report that HMRC's practical requirement is verification of AWRS status for wholesalers and Premises Licences for retail outlets, supported by documented checks. One member emphasized that maintaining this diligence is "good practice and shows due diligence." **Caveat:** While no member reported being caught out for non-compliance, the tone suggests this is an area where regulatory risk is taken seriously, particularly for wholesale customers.
Should case barcodes be the same as bottle barcodes, or should they be unique?
Case barcodes should be **completely different from bottle barcodes**. Members consistently recommend using unique codes because cases and bottles are different stock-keeping units (SKUs). This becomes critical if you move into wholesale accounts like Booker or Costco that sell full cases alongside individual bottles—using the same barcode could result in customers being charged a bottle price for a full case, creating serious errors in point-of-sale systems. For any barcode queries or registration, members recommend **contacting GS1 directly** for guidance on proper barcode assignment.
How do you prepare for and pass the WOWGR (Wholesaler Own Brand Growth Registration) process?
The WOWGR process is lengthy but straightforward to prepare for. Members report the actual assessment takes around 3 hours and doesn't require complicated preparation. **Approach options:** - **DIY preparation** — Members have successfully prepared and passed on their own, though it requires significant time investment - **Phil Griffiths** — Multiple members recommend working with this compliance specialist who helps with due diligence pack preparation. He has experience with WOWGR and can also handle AWRS simultaneously. Described as "amazing" and offering reasonable fees for what members characterize as "a horrible process" **Key takeaway:** While it's possible to go through WOWGR alone, members who used Phil Griffiths as a guide found the process much smoother, particularly if handling multiple compliance requirements at once.