It’s A Family Affair
The Nab Lab is run by us, a local family ‘The Darlington’s’. We live in Whalley, Lancashire with all of our extended family close by in The Ribble Valley.
I (Brooke) am the founder of the business but you will see my husband Rob, my parents, my fur baby Ariel and even our girls (when there isn’t gin making going on) in the Lab from time to time.
It all started in adversity …
The Nab Lab was always a pipe dream, until I was diagnosed with breast cancer, at the age of 42, in August 2023, and whilst sat at a Ribble Valley breast cancer group one evening in November 2023, listening to a lady talk to us about her jewellery making company, North West Jewellery School, I thought to myself, I could make my dream a reality if I really wanted to and knowing I had time off for treatment, what better time to start !
I wanted to make something positive, out of a terribly tough and sad situation and the Gin School was my focus whilst I was stuck in hospital or at home in bed recovering from my numerous treatments and surgeries. It gave me real purpose.
My life had been literally turned upside down and as a busy working mum, my priorities had started to change and I really wanted to do something for me, I realised how short and fragile life is and that you aren’t immortal, so through my chemo, I cracked on with the planning side of the business, I wrote my business plan, ordered a mini distiller, which we kept in our utility room and made lots of gin and I started the ball rolling with the planning stage, as soon as my chemo had finished, and whilst recovering from 5 major surgeries, I started the planning and license applications and I also designed my logo and branding, and through this time the Nab Lab was born and built !
I am super proud of what we have set up and I can’t wait to see the Nab Lab and my Gin - Spirit Of The Nab grow.
“She stood in the storm and when the wind didn’t blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”
Elizabeth Edwards
I wanted the brand to be really local, the design of the Logo incorporates the Nab, the Viaduct and the River Calder, all stand out scenery in our gorgeous village – Whalley.
This is where our Gin and our Gin School took their names, from the stunning Whalley Nab. When you visit you will see the beautiful village and Nab. The Nab is where I spend many hours walking our dog, thinking up new ideas, catching up with friends and foraging for botanicals, it was my “go to” walk whilst recovering.
The venue is nestled in the heart of the village and is a beautifully converted listed building, that is bursting with character, just like me and my gin!!
Whilst making our very first gin, at home, in our utility room, we tried and tested many botanicals to come up with our favourite London Dry Gin taste and a Pink Gin. I had to wait until after chemo to get my taste buds back ! When I did, we eventually settled on our favourite botanicals, guided by our friends and families feedback too, and we created the Spirit of the Nab Gin – also named after Whalley Nab.
Having fun dreaming up The Nab Lab at home
The Nab Lab - A Very Special Place
I have a real passion for customer service, with 20 plus years experience working in the retail industry, hosting and making people smile is what makes me tick, and with the wonderful experiences we provide at the Nab Lab, I get to do this week in week out and I adore it, seeing people smile and accomplish making their own gin really makes me happy inside and when you have had a life changing diagnosis like cancer, it’s the memories you make that are important, but also the people you make those memories with and if you can make and drink a little gin whilst you make those memories, surely it’s win win ?!