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Drinks wholesale was a bit different back in 2002.
Our Story
Dennis, now our Chairman, founded Inn Express in February 2002 without a single customer but with more than 30 years of industry experience and one simple belief: that great customer service still matters, even in a fast-changing trade.
His career began in the early 1970s as a lorry driver for a Stratford-upon-Avon-based soft drinks manufacturer and distributor. Over time, Dennis worked his way up to manage a large national fleet and team of drivers. After launching his own soft drinks distribution business, he sold it to a small drinks wholesaler with big ambitions called The Beer Seller, which later became Waverley TBS. During that time, Dennis managed depots, sales teams, and transport operations, gaining the experience that would later form the foundation of Inn Express.
When Waverley’s local depot closed, Dennis saw a gap in the market: a need for excellent service and an exciting range of drinks focused on cask ale. From a small shared warehouse in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, Inn Express began with Dennis in sales, Pam (his wife) running the office, and one delivery driver.
After a year of steady growth, Richard, Dennis’s son and now Managing Director, joined the business, bringing his retail management background and a shared commitment to quality and service.
By June 2004, Inn Express moved into its first 6,000 sq ft warehouse in Haselor, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. The company had grown to two 3.5t vans and ten staff. That same year, Graham Lawton joined as Sales Director from Bablake Wines, bringing with him extensive FMCG and wholesale experience. His influence, coupled with an expanding sales team, helped drive rapid growth and cemented our reputation for reliability and quality.
Even through the challenges of the 2008 credit crunch, Inn Express adapted by restructuring its sales team and introducing premium options across every product category. New recruits Andrew Lawton and John Lewis, both from major national brewers and FMCG backgrounds, helped reposition Inn Express at the forefront of the craft beer market while expanding our range of artisan spirits, boutique wines, and independent soft drinks.
Today
More than 20 years on, Inn Express has grown from a small family business into one of the UK’s leading independent drinks wholesalers. We now operate from two depots in Haselor and Berkhamsted, covering more than 28,000 sq ft of warehouse space, and employ around 120 staff, including over 20 account managers who support pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels across our trading area.
Our depots work together to provide one seamless service, delivering across the Midlands, London, the South East, and now Manchester and the North West. This expansion means faster deliveries, fewer road miles, and a service that is even more reliable and sustainable.
By holding more stock locally, we keep availability high and products fresher while giving our drivers the flexibility to adapt to customer needs. This approach helps us do what we do best: combine the personal touch of a family business with the scale to support any venue, from city cocktail bars to countryside pubs.
Whether you run a hospitality venue in Manchester, a restaurant in London, or a pub in the Cotswolds, we can get you what you need with greater efficiency and lower emissions.
Prefer a chat? Our friendly teams in Haselor and Berkhamsted are always happy to help.
When it is time to deliver, our trusted drivers, many with us since the early days, ensure your stock arrives safely, on time, and exactly where you need it.