mum. We had family holidays in the Scottish Borders. I loved
Edinburgh from visits to see my good pal from University with its
great bars, great pies and I even loved the buildings.
I was obviously delighted to be part of Caledonian becoming the
official beer of the Tattoo and to live in one of those crescents we
used to admire - curved front windows, amazing cornices and really
high ceilings. Playing cricket for Scotland and running Caledonian,
which was close to people’s hearts meant 20 years simply flew by.
Have your family settled into life here on the Wirral and what
are their favourite things about living in this area?
Still settling into our new home as it’s been quite hectic doing the
house project and the business at the same time. Jamie is away at
school and Fergus went to London after graduating from Durham
University in the summer. Enjoying the coastal location is a
favourite of mine although it’s a bit windy at times!
How do you relax?
It’s a strength of mine - very quickly, although this project has
challenged that trait occasionally! My office has often been my car
for the past 3 years (until this week!) I can quite often make do with
a power nap of 10 minutes!
You’ve spent time in the US on business, but where is your
favourite place to go on holiday?
Let me try and remember – what’s a holiday again? I’ve not had
one since October 2015! That was Windjammer in St Lucia which
we like a lot.
My favourite holiday was when we went to watch Jamie play cricket
in South Africa and it doubled as my wife, Fiona’s 50th. We loved
the trip to Rorkes Drift and Islandwana (I was a fan of Zulu as a
boy). It was awe-inspiring! That plus Franschhoek, Ste llenbosch,
Cape Town and the Hermanus area made for a wonderful holiday.
We love walks with Fergus’s dog Odi on Hoylake and West Kirby
beaches, a pint of Love Lane Pale Ale in the West Kirby tap – the
simple pleasures – there’s good chat, and then home for a family
meal, a cup of tea or a bowl of soup you can’t beat it! Favourite cuisine overall?
Shellfish (langoustines, large prawns or scallops for starter). Steak
(sometimes blue steak). If travelling - sushi/sashimi - love it and it
makes me feel good!
The launch of H1780 must be all consuming at present but how
do you view your life in say 5 years’ time?
60? When do I get my bus pass? Seriously I have a talented team, so
I would expect one of them to be pushing me for them to run the
business day to day by then. I can’t see me retiring - but currently I
am not looking that far ahead – there’s plenty to do! Most recent meal in a Wirral restaurant?
Had an excellent meal for Fiona’s birthday in Cafe Nancie in West
Kirby - it was our first visit and we really enjoyed it.
What makes H1780 different?
We are very excited at being in the heart of L1 and to be making
our drinks in the same building as people are learning about them
and consuming them.
We have recruited the best people we can with skills, knowledge
and passion for what they are doing whether that is making great
gins, brewing very drinkable pints or cooking tasty food. It’s all
about quality. We want everyone to feel part of what we are doing -
building a leading beer and gin business in the North West.
As a child what was the best and worst Christmas present that
you’ve ever had?
My mum tells me as a toddler I wanted a wheelbarrow? I was so
chuffed! I just put all the other presents in it and wheeled them
around for ages! The worst was a binder for my cricketer magazines
- it had instructions that were hard to follow, and I got very annoyed
and frustrated - I couldn’t get them in the binder for ages!
18 wirrallife.com
Favourite Liverpool restaurant?
Lots of choice now which is great - depends on the occasion - but
love the food at The Art School, and like Maray and Salt House
Tapas.
Guilty pleasure?
I think most probably quality food and drink with family/friends.
I’m also hoping progress will allow golf to become a pastime again
without feeling like a guilty pleasure!
If you could have one Christmas wish granted, what would it be?
Fiona’s brother Rob, an Old Birkonian died February 2014 aged 39,
her sister is having chemo now and a friend in Edinburgh’s son is in
a bad way after an injury on the rugby field - so my wish would be
health and happiness for my friends and family!
To find out more about the new Higsons venture - H1780,
visit www.h1780tapstill.co.uk