An award-winning distillery has announced it is leaving Oldham as it "cannot grow" its brand at its current location.

Defiance Spirits, based at Woodend Mill in Springhead, has been located in the borough for six years but will be relocating to Rochdale in the New Year.

The distillery, which produces gin and vodka, has said the move will help the brand grow as it increases its exports outside of the UK.

In a video uploaded to the distillery's Facebook page on Monday (October 23), owner Paul Sheerin said: "After six years at Woodend Mill in Oldham, we will be moving in January next year.

The Oldham Times:

"The reason for this is we're growing the brand and it's very difficult where we currently are."

Paul explained that Woodend Mill has an "access issue" which makes it difficult for HGVs to enter and exit the site.

He added that Defiance is currently exporting to two countries and are in talks to export to another two countries, making it more "awkward" to distribute products at the Oldham site.

The Oldham Times: The entrance and exit to Woodend Mill in SpringheadThe entrance and exit to Woodend Mill in Springhead (Image: Google Maps)

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Defiance is moving its operations to Spotland Mill in Rochdale, an old textile mill which is undergoing a £7m transformation.

Paul, who is from Rochdale, said his mother and father both worked in textiles and met at Spotland Mill.

He added that Defiance will be opening up the "gin experience" and the distillery in March next year.

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He has invited people to come to events they are organising before they make the move, with bar nights on Friday, November 24 and Friday, December 1.

Defiance will also be hosting their Christmas Markets on Saturday, November 25 and Saturday, December 9 from 10am to 3pm.

The distillery will close their Woodend Mill site to the general public on Sunday, December 31.