FDC backs buy-out at luxury wine cellar specialist

Spiral Cellars, which employs 35 staff in Cannock, has been acquired by the CEO, Mark Down, and Technical Director, Sam Stockdale. The two men have run the business since the previous owners, Lucy Hargreaves and Mark Dickens, moved overseas in 2024.

Founded in 1981, Spiral Cellars is now regarded as one of the world’s leading providers of private wine cellars, having installed over 5,000 in the UK alone. Its signature design – a circular cellar with built-in spiral staircase – can be installed into the floor of an existing property with minimum disruption.

The company, which has a manufacturing plant at its headquarters in Cannock, also offers a range of other options, from walk-in wine rooms to wine walls and modular cellaring systems.

Cellars typically range in price from £15,000 to over £200,000 for larger, bespoke projects, with clients mainly high-net worth individuals. While over 90% of its business is currently in the UK, the company has a network of international distributors and is seeing growing demand from Dubai and the USA in particular.

Mark Down, CEO, said: “Sam and I are delighted to officially take the reins at Spiral Cellars and begin the next exciting chapter in the company’s development.  With the backing of Frontier Development Capital, we look forward to accelerating our growth internationally and bringing the UK’s leading luxury wine cellaring brand to new markets to meet rising global demand for wine storage solutions that combine functionality, craftsmanship and luxury living.”

Simon Kelsall of Frontier Development Capital added: “Spiral Cellars has been  manufacturing and installing these statement pieces into homes in the UK for over 40 years.  It continues to enhance and expand its product range and is now regarded as one of the world’s leading wine cellar specialists, with around 30 million bottles stored in its cellars. Mark and Sam are passionate about the business. The buy-out will enable them to move it forward and take advantage of growing worldwide demand.  We look forward to working with them on this journey.”

Jeremy Richards of PKF Smith Cooper provided corporate finance advice to the company. Crowe UK LLP carried out financial due diligence for Frontier Development Capital, with Wilkes Solicitors provided legal advice.