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.
What is the typical timeline for obtaining EIS approval and receiving EIS3 certificates?
EIS approval timelines vary significantly, but members report two distinct phases: getting the initial approval letter is fast, while receiving the EIS3 certificates after investment is taken can be much slower. **Approval letter timeline:** - Can be obtained "pretty sharpish" through your accountants, with some members receiving approval in as little as 2 weeks. **EIS3 certificate timeline (after investment is taken):** - Ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months, though members note timelines are "taking longer than ever apparently." - One member reported previously waiting a couple of months in the past. - Members have experienced anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on circumstances. **Tactic to potentially speed up the process:** - **Seedrs-style presentation** — one member found quicker HMRC response times when presenting investment data and literature to HMRC in the format Seedrs uses, though they acknowledged correlation may not equal causation. The key takeaway: don't conflate the fast approval letter with the slower certificate issuance; plan for several months between taking investment and receiving your EIS3 certificates.
What is the timeline and process for obtaining HMRC WOWGR (Warehousekeeper's Option Without Goods Record) approval?
WOWGR approval typically takes **2–3 months** from initial application to approval, provided all documentation is complete. The process moves quickly once you receive a reply and have a call with HMRC officers; members recommend getting to know your assigned case officer, as you can then nudge them to accelerate progress. **Key points on WOWGR:** - WOWGR is primarily for the movement and ownership of duty-suspended goods - It is still very much in force, though there are ongoing discussions about its future (HMRC has indicated it may be revoked) - Approval depends on whether HMRC considers the officers "fit and proper" for the role **Alternative approach (duty-paid route):** - You can choose to pay duty at the point of production rather than operate under duty suspension; this does not require WOWGR - This approach is **not quicker** than obtaining WOWGR, but offers faster operational freedom if you don't want to wait for approval - You can have both options available: hold a WOWGR and still choose to pay duty upfront on some products, or keep goods in bonded warehouses **Critical caveat:** Members note that WOWGR legislation may be revoked by HMRC in the near future, so the regulatory landscape is shifting. Confirm current status with HMRC before proceeding.
What are the typical timelines, costs and supplier options for bespoke bottle manufacturing?
Bespoke bottle manufacturing involves significant time and financial commitment. Members report a **10-month lead time and £25,000+ cost** for custom bottle production, making supplier selection critical since switching producers means restarting the entire process. Key suppliers mentioned: - **Bruni** — UK manufacturer; members report being in active discussions for bespoke bottle projects - **Allied** — supplier used by members for standard bottles, also in discussions for bespoke options - **German manufacturers** — members note these as an alternative, currently used by some brands Caveats and warnings: - Lead times are lengthy (10+ months), so planning ahead is essential - Costs are substantial; price increases of 19–20%+ have been reported by members, with some pushback on suppliers' pricing logic - Supplier relationships matter significantly—members warned of poor communication and service from some manufacturers, but limited recourse once production is underway - UK manufacturing support exists but members note similar challenges may occur across all suppliers - Rejecting finished bespoke bottles is difficult once committed to a manufacturer
What is the typical timeline for getting new products listed on major online retailers like Ocado?
Getting listings on major online retailers can be a lengthy and frustratingly slow process. Members report that **Ocado** submissions can take significantly longer than expected—one member shared that their submission had been in progress for **9 months**. Multiple members confirmed similar experiences with slow processing timelines, though they noted that progress does eventually happen in incremental steps. The retailer has experienced staffing changes which have impacted turnaround times, though things are expected to improve. Members are also exploring **Travel Retail** as an alternative route to market, which may offer different listing timelines and processes.