AN award-winning Yorkshire gin-maker has been granted permission to move into new £1.5m premises in the shadow of Whitby Abbey.

Whitby Distillery plans to renovate two derelict barns on Abbey Lands.

Founded in 2017, Whitby Distillery, makers of Whitby Gin, is run by Jessica Slater and Luke Pentith, whose gin is stocked in more than 300 outlets across the UK.

The move will enable the distillery to become a unique visitor experience, providing a high-quality leisure and function space for the local community.

Luke said: “Moving our distillery to Abbey Lands Farm is a game-changer for us and will enable us to step up production, give us a tremendous platform for growth and introduce a new industry to Whitby."

Work on the new eco-build distillery will start this autumn, with a six-12 month build period.