Gran Stead’s Ginger Limited, a business with a unique heritage, is owned and run by the Knox family of Portslade, East Sussex.

A tale of passion
For many years, Len and Dot Knox enjoyed ginger wine purchased from their local shop.  When the supply ran out, the couple traced the elderly lady who had been making it and discovered she had given up.  Undeterred, and desperate to go on enjoying their favourite drink, they bought the recipe and began preparing it themselves at their home.  They started selling it to local shops and markets and met with increasing success.

Several years later, in 2003, the Knox’s son Chris and his wife Rosemary joined the business and production moved to Mile Oak Farm in Portslade, East Sussex.

Now, Gran Stead’s Non-Alcoholic Ginger Wine is available at over 300 outlets throughout the UK, and the number is growing.   The drink can also be bought on-line through Gran Stead’s website, www.GranSteadsGinger.co.uk

In the summer of 2008, Gran Stead’s launched a brand new drink, “Gran Stead’s Traditional Still Lemonade”, which is generating very positive feedback from retailers and consumers.

Short Biographies

Chris Knox

Chris served as a Police Officer for 30 years with Sussex Police.   After his retirement, Chris’s enthusiasm for Gran Stead’s Ginger prompted him to join the business to help his father Len achieve his wish to drive it forwards.  This led to Chris and his wife Rosemary converting some buildings on a local farm and taking over the production of the Ginger Wine.

Rosemary Knox

Rosemary trained as a nursery nurse, firstly working within residential care and latterly specialising in the care of children with special needs. The move to Gran Stead’s was a steep learning curve for both Chris and Rosemary.   They now work together on production, marketing and selling.