Origins of The Drinks Trust

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Robert Gray was a City of London wine merchant whose concern for the wellbeing of people working in the drinks trade helped inspire the creation of what is now The Drinks Trust (formerly known as The Benevolent).

In 1886, the wine and spirits trade in London was facing difficult times. Businesses were struggling, and many long-serving employees in the industry had little support if illness, age, or hardship forced them out of work.

One man who felt this strongly was Robert Gray, a City of London wine merchant. Having spent years in the trade, he knew how vulnerable workers could be when circumstances changed. On 1 February 1886, he wrote to the chairman of the Wine and Spirit Association proposing the creation of a Benevolent Society to support current and former employees of the trade who had fallen on hard times.

Not everyone agreed at first. A letter soon appeared in the press arguing that the industry was in recession and couldn’t afford a trade charity. Gray responded that this was exactly why such support was needed, and many of his colleagues agreed.

Momentum grew quickly. On 8 December 1886, the charity held its first general meeting at Vintners’ Hall in London, hosted by the Worshipful Company of Vintners, marking the beginning of what would become The Drinks Trust.

Even after 140 years, The Drinks Trust continues to carry forward Robert Gray’s mission of supporting the drinks industry through challenging times. That’s why our Face It Together 140 Years campaign is so important, we’re not only celebrating the founding of The Drinks Trust, but also renewing our commitment to making a meaningful difference for people in need across the drinks industry.

At a time when our industry continues to navigate significant challenges, this campaign serves as both a tribute to 140 years of resilience and a powerful call for unity, reminding us all that we are stronger when we face it together. This campaign invites the drinks industry to celebrate, collaborate, and contribute to its industry charity. 

The drinks industry plays a vital role in bringing people together. BUT cost pressures on our industry continue to rise and this year, businesses will be forced to take further measures to reduce outgoings. This will have a devastating impact on the people who work in our industry, whose financial situations have already been worsened by the difficult economic times of recent years.

This year, as we celebrate the anniversary of our foundation, The Drinks Trust is renewing its commitment to making a meaningful difference to people in need across the drinks industry. Our goal is to extend the reach of our support services to even more individuals who need them most. To achieve this, we are calling on the entire drinks community to unite behind its dedicated trade charity.  Your involvement is not just support, it’s a celebration of the talent, passion, and resilience that define our industry.

Together Through Every Challenge, Since 1886.