The co-founder of a thriving York business has spoken of his ambition to take it to as many as ten towns or cities.

Dominic M’Benga told a York Press business networking meeting at York St John University how he grew up in Bradford, served in the army and for many years was a doorman at the former McMillan’s nightspot in Rougier Street, York.

This later became the Society Lounge Bar, and earlier this year became home to the Dominic’s Hooting Owl and Curious Cat Distillery, a top-rated visitor attraction.

Earlier this century Dominic and others devised a special wind turbine, which they sold on to others, but used the capital to further develop the product, the meeting heard.

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However, in 2010, a change of government ‘rocked’ the renewables sector, leading Dominic and others to work in Israel and Los Angeles, later selling the intellectual property for £20million.

He used his share of the proceeds to create Hooting Owl near Pocklington, where he had bought an old coaching inn, and started making gin.

Dominic did the branding aiming to sell 100 bottles a month, but his daughter devised a photo competition on social media, leading the gin to appear in 250 pubs within three months as people asked for Hooting Owl.

But Covid hit, forcing a shift to retail. Alas, the Barmby Moor site was “in the middle of nowhere” and he saw a need to be in York.

Last summer, the former McMillan's became available, leading to a major renovation of the venue, with luxurious surroundings, where tours of the distillery are available and food also on offer, earning lavish praise on TripAdvisor and Google.

“The idea is we give our clients an immersive experience.”

This involves “creating a story” around an owl and “taking customers through emotions” and making them feel “part of the family”.

Dominic said the business intends to grow not by having a bigger distillery but more of them. This would maintain its craft status and maintain margins.

There ‘may be’ Tipsy Toad and Dirty Duck distilleries ‘may be’ in Manchester, ‘may be’ Liverpool and ‘may be’ Blackpool.

He said you must be flexible, noting how the business changed because of Covid, but in time he hoped to have ten distilleries before selling up to “get my boat on the Mediterranean”.

After the meeting, Dominic told The Press he would not be looking at opening another distillery until Rougier Street has operated for at least a year.

He added: “But the idea (our story) is Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins, our Owl, was the head of a band of secret craft distillers, he is joined by The Dirty Duck, The Tipsy Toad and The Curious Cat, three further brands that will eventually operate the same business model as The Hooting Owl, in the future.”

York Press sales director Steve Lowe called both Dominic M’Benga and fellow speaker Lyndsey Watterson of Neo Walk ‘inspirational’, adding the next networking meeting is in October.