Oxford’s inaugural distillery is preparing to move back to its former location following a two-year closure, with the business confirming intentions to resume operations next year.

The Oxford Artisan Distillery, abbreviated as TOAD, operated for seven years from premises within a historic barn close to South Park in Headington.

However, the enterprise suspended its Oxford activities in 2024, having expanded operations at a collaborator’s facility in Yorkshire where it continued business under the name The Yorkshire Distilling Company.

Schemes to re-establish the distillery within the grade II listed Cheney Barn in South Park, which has remained vacant since the departure, have been under development for several years.

The most recent communication from the directors has revealed TOAD’s comeback, characterising the move as an amphibious resurrection in full spring.

Tom Nicolson established the award-winning gin distillery in 2017, with the portfolio subsequently growing to include whisky and vodka, distinguished by its emphasis on the biodiversity of the grains used in production.

For a period, the venture had intended to relaunch under a fresh identity called The Oxford Spirit Group, though proposals to restore the site through this entity did not advance last year.

The company stated that it has successfully retrieved its original stills, named Nautilus, Nemo, and the substantial Columns, together with all TOAD trademarks and intellectual property. Oxford’s first distillery, The Oxford Artisan Distillery, will resume operations at its original venue in June 2027.

The company commented that this represents an exciting new chapter. TOAD brings nine years of established brand recognition as Oxford’s inaugural distillery, the first registered organic distillery in the UK, and the world’s first biodiverse distillery.