Local brewers Seven Bro7hers and gin distillery Four Sis4ers are set to merge to form one big Salfordian alcohol outfit. You love to see it.
With Seven Bros already being a household name, operating out of four locations in Manchester alone, not to mention more and more sites opening up across the country and their beloved beers stocked in ASDA, Morrisons, Co-op, Booths and soon Aldi too, the brand just keeps getting bigger.
Now, the next step in that development will see the McAvoy brothers link up with their real-life sisters and their aptly named company, FOUR SIS4ERS Distillery, to form one big happy family business.
While many aware of the two companies’ connection always wondered whether it would happen, this link-up will finally put all 11 McAvoy siblings under one commercial roof, allowing customers and consumers access to a ‘one stop’ shop for craft beer, gin, rum and who knows what in the future.
The takeover will see a rebrand of the craft gin distillery aimed at bringing the portfolio in line with the brother’s lucrative core beers, targeting grocery buyers and convenience stores.
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Inspired by their father’s home-brewing legacy, the company was founded in 2014 by the seven McAvoy brothers themselves: Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg.
Following their success, the McAvoy sisters Kerry Collins, Hayley Robinson, Kate Haslam, and Lucy White then decided they wanted in on the action and launched SIS4ERS Distillery back in 2018.
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With their own reputation growing exponentially, it seemed only natural to bring them on board. The merger will make SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO the largest alcohol family in the industry. Try 55 direct relatives. Absolutely massive.
Credit: SEVEN BRO7HERSCredit: FOUR SIS4ERS
Keith McAvoy, CEO of Seven Bro7hers said: “Our sisters have built a brilliant portfolio of delicious, unique gins and rums unlike others in the marketplace. We believe with the right branding strategy and access to our fantastic network, we’ll be able to grow the business and get the products in front of new buyers.
“We are excited to be under one roof. Family is the foundation of our business, so it is fantastic to bring the sisters into our fold. Now you really can #jointhefamily, drink and serve the full family collection of amazing beers and spirits.”
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Lucy White of SIS4ERS DISTILLERY, said: “The merger feels like a natural progression for our business. The brothers have had great success taking the brewery from in-house webshop to store and we can’t wait to see where that wealth of experience takes the FOUR SIS4ERS brand.”
SEVEN BRO7HERS currently run successful beer houses in Middlewood Locks, MediaCityUK, Ancoats and, of course, their HQ, taproom and brewery in the heart of Salford.
Always looking to grow their portfolio — as exampled by the Four Sis4ers merger — they also opened their partnership bar at Manchester Airport‘s new T2 Departure Lounge in July 2020, before planting their first flag on the rest of the UK in May 2021 with their new Beerhouse in the heart of Liverpool.
Together with the help of their sisters, who have already seen their success not only in day-to-day sales but with hosting gin tours and tastings, as well as bookable event spaces, the sky is the limit for the McAvoy family.
Featured Image — SEVEN BRO7HERS/FOUR SIS4ERS DISTILLERY (via Instagram)
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Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year
Emily Sergeant
Digital driving licences are set to be introduced across the UK later this year, it has been announced.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle has announced today that, before 2025 is out, Brits will be given the option to use a digital version of their driver’s licence from their phone to easily prove their age when buying age restricted items online and in person, as well as proving their right to drive.
A mobile driver’s licence is set to be one of the first digital documents in a GOV.UK wallet app that’s being launched later this year.
— Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) January 21, 2025
The new wallet will allow users to securely store Government-issued documents on their phone, such as DBS checks, Veteran Cards, and loads more, as well as driving licences, and use them easily when needed by making use of a range of security features that are built into modern smart phones – including facial recognition checks.
According to the Government, the new service means that digital documents will be more secure, even if a device is lost.
Traditional physical documents will still remain available, however.
Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year / Credit: GDS
The mobile driver’s licence will be piloted later in 2025, and all Government services will have to offer a digital alternative, alongside paper or card credentials, by the end of 2027 under plans set out by the blueprint for digital Government.
“This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
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Plans to bring Greater Manchester’s rail services onto the Bee Network unveiled
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to bring all rail services in Greater Manchester onto the Bee Network have been unveiled this week.
After the success of all the region’s buses returning to local control at the start of the year, Mayor Andy Burnham has set out Greater Manchester’s step-by-step plan to bring rail into the Bee Network by 2028, working alongside the rail industry to do this as the next part of his joined-up ‘London-style’ public transport system, which is intended to boost passenger numbers, and drive growth across the region.
Developed in partnership with the rail industry, Department for Transport (DfT) and Shadow Great British Rail, Mr Burnham says his plan is aimed at not only improving transport but unlocking major regeneration and housing opportunities on land around the region’s stations too.
Greater Manchester’s proposition is for eight commuter rail lines, covering 64 stations, to be brought into the Bee Network in three phases over the next five years.
Under the plan, the first two lines – which will work to connect Manchester to Glossop and Stalybridge, in Tameside – will join the Bee Network by December 2026, and then a further 32 stations, and all lines within Greater Manchester, would join by 2030.
Not only that, but Greater Manchester leaders have also committed to working with the Government and the rail industry to “improve reliability” and “implement service changes” to help drive growth too.
If all goes to plan, the first branded Bee Network train will be running by the end of 2026.
Bus, tram and train will finally be united in a tap-in, tap-out payment system with a daily cap offering much better value for money than existing rail fares.
Another major change is that TfGM has said it will work with the rail industry to accelerate the delivery of accessibility improvements – with more than 60% of stations on the eight lines set to have step-free access by 2028, compared to 43% at the end of 2024.
“Our rail system today is acting as a brake on growth and, as the UK’s fastest growing city-region, Greater Manchester deserves better,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, as he unveiled his plans this week.
“We need a railway that is reliable and fully integrated with the rest of the Bee Network to drive growth and deliver new homes with public transport connections on the doorstep.
“Our plan puts passengers first by delivering a simplified, joined-up public transport network, with better services, stations and overall experience. Only by making travel by train more reliable, simpler, flexible and accessible to everyone, will we convince more people to leave the car at home and make the switch to the Bee Network.”
Danny Jones -
12th January 2023 
