South Shields mum launching cocktail delivery service - and plans to eventually open cocktail bar

Bethany Lorraine, 24, says the idea for the business came to her during lockdown virtual chats with her friends.

She explained that she had always made the drinks as a hobby, mainly for small social gatherings – and says she has filled in the gaps in her drinks-making repertoire through online classes and short courses.

“I’d always had this idea in the back of my head and it didn’t really seem possible for a long time,” she said.

"Then, lockdown came around and I finally decided it was time to start this up and have a go at it.”

Ms Lorraine was made redundant from her then-supermarket job after the coronavirus pandemic hit last year.

But, with the support of friends and a helping hand from several authorities the town, the mother of one is now looking to see her vision of a more colourful drink delivery service for the area realised.

The 24-year-old has spent Lockdown 3 readying the Quarantini service to start serving customers, with the business looking to complete its first orders in the coming weeks – once the restrictions currently in place begin to ease.

She told The Gazette her ambition is to ultimately open a cocktail bar in South Shields, believing she has spotted a gap in the local hospitality market.

“Once I had a clearer idea of what I was trying to do, I phoned the job centre and they put me on some courses, I applied for licences at the council, I began branding the business.

"I opened the social media pages and the thing took off even more quickly than I’d expected it to.

"All the pubs in the town centre are great and, like everyone else, I’m sure, I’m looking forward to them all reopening once lockdown ends.

"But at the same time I feel like it would be great to diversify the drinks offer in Shields as well, with so many people coming to the area for the beach and the nightlife.”

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