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Beer Hatch

Case Study 15 October 2025

Saul Press, founder of Beer Hatch has gone from delivering beers on his bike to setting up the UK’s “smallest off-licence ” to now owning his own craft ale shop in Norwich.

Region/Nation East of England
Sector Hospitality, Accommodation and Food Service Activities
Programme Start Up Loans
Partner

Since 2020, Saul has used two Start Up Loans of £1,500 and £6,000. During the pandemic, Saul found himself out of work and decided to take out his first loan to set up a beer delivery company. He delivered the beer orders on his bike, selling excess draught beer and ales that pubs were struggling to sell due to lockdowns.

Saul Press founder of Beer Hatch outside his business

As the lockdown restrictions subsided, Saul opened the ‘UK’s smallest off-license’ – selling beer from a disused telephone box in Norwich. Due to the success of the pop-up shop, Saul used a second Start Up Loan to open his own craft beer shop in the centre of Norwich in 2023 with support from one of the Start Up Loans programme’s Business Support Partners, First Enterprise, to expand his craft beer company. The loan helped purchase six draught taps to open a small bar, and fridges to retail local beers and ale.

I used to work in marketing, but during lockdown I started reflecting on what I really wanted to do next. I realised my true passion was a good beer! Back then, I got on my bike to sell excess pub stock, and since then the business has gone from strength to strength. The second loan from Start Up Loans gave me the opportunity to open my own shop and kit it out with all the right equipment.

The beer scene in Norwich is truly unmatched, drawing many visitors for beer tours and tastings. We were recently named one of the top eight independent beer shops in the whole of the UK by The Times, which was fantastic recognition. I believe people really enjoy shopping local and discovering unique beers that they wouldn’t necessarily find anywhere else.

- Saul Press Founder of Beer Hatch

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