1985

Wine Market opens in Gosbecks Road.

An entirely new concept of wine retailing was created, a wine warehouse attractive to customers seeking the most inexpensive, or the finest bottles. A tasting and dining room was integrated, together with a kitchen. 

1988

Joint Winner, Wine Merchant of the Year.

Since receiving this accolade, Lay & Wheeler has been the recipient of numerous important wine trade awards including on three occasions, 1990, 1994 and 1995, Wine List of the Year.

1992

Large trade warehouse purchased on Gosbecks Road (John Lay House).

Ever-expanding business demanded increased storage capacity, as did the need to house the growing staff roster.

1994

Lay & Wheeler's 140th Anniversary.

A Special Victorian-style dinner, with guests invited in period dress, was held to mark the occasion in Colchester's Moot Hall.

1995

Sale of wholesale beer, spirit & mineral business to Liquid Assets Group.

Changing market conditions dictated a policy of focusing on wine, a move which proved advantageous to Lay & Wheeler during the economic recovery of the late 1990s.

1996

Business relocated from Culver Street to Gosbecks Park. Wine Market was renamed The Wine Centre.

No one was more sorry than Richard Wheeler when our vans could no longer park in front of the much-loved old shop premises, and the Company was obliged to bow to the inevitable. His father born in, and grew up in, the upstairs floors. The extensively upgraded Wine Market incorporated a new 100 seat Tasting Cellar modelled on Bordeaux lines.

1997

Independent Wine Merchant of the Year, Best Mail Order Merchant and Burgundy Specialist Award.

A special year for the company, marked by a special dinner for staff hosted by the directors of the company.

1997

Johnny Wheeler appointed Managing Director.

Johnny spent over two years as Sales Director for a national drinks wholesaler prior to this, gaining valuable experience outside the company.

1998

Joint venture in Clayvin Vineyard, New Zealand with Georg Fromm.

A telephone call out of the blue from Marlborough, South Island, was received enthusiastically, leading to a unique venture from which benefits continue to flow. 

1999

Acquisition of Howells of Bristol Ltd and the Bin Club.

A near-perfect fit with existing Lay & Wheeler provisions, the Bin Club offered a bespoke wine service dedicated principally to the requirements of British expatriates.

2000

Establishment of the city wine bar, 33 Cornhill.

Following two highly successful joint-ventures, the company took the  decision to 'go it alone' with a flagship winebar and restaurant in sight of the Bank of England.

2001

Purchase of large bonded warehouse, Burton-upon-Trent.

An inevitable consequence of the integration of the Bin Club wine storage (40,000 cases of customers' wines) with that of Lay & Wheeler. Subsequently upgraded and re-styled Vinothèque.

2001

Acquisition of fisherman's shed, Mersea Island. Planning permission subsequently obtained for seafood & wine events.

Not justified solely on account of the chairman's love of the Colchester native oyster, this initiative was prompted by Lay & Wheeler's desire to promote its wines alongside a unique local delicacy. 

2001

Acquisition of the Peldon Rose Inn, near Mersea Island.

The purchase of this famous local hospitality spot gave critical mass to the company's 'leisure retailing' division. 

2003

Head office relocates to Holton Park, Suffolk. Wine Centre renamed Colchester Wine Centre.

The increasing sophistication of the company's operations together with the desire to modernise working practices, demanded an upgraded facility. Holton Park is in Holton St Mary, just across the county border in Suffolk.

2004

150th Anniversary celebrations, including Gala dinner at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, Burgundy.

With its managing director a Chevalier of the Confrérie du Tastevin, the company enjoyed privileged access to one of the most spectacular settings in the world of wine.

2005

Winning the 2005 Creativity Award.

Each year, the judges are given the option to make special awards if they think they are deserved. This time, Lay & Wheeler was singled out for its sale of the contents of a single European cellar whose Bordeaux ranged from 1928 to 1990.

Winning the 2005 Regional Wine Merchants Award.

The duel between Adnams and Lay & Wheeler for this award is an annual tradition. Always a fight to the death, this time victory went to Lay & Wheeler, which impressed the judges with the quality of its range.

2006

A year dominated by the 'campaign' for Bordeaux 2005, a profound vintage which generated enormous interest from the start. Lay & Wheeler's buyers visited the region three times to assess the wines, a total of over a dozen individual visits. Customers were introduced to the sheer quality of 2005 at a Vintage Briefing presented by the team, held at Savoy Place, London.

Other 'en primeur' offers made in 2006 included 2001 Barolo, 2004 Rhone, 2005 Mosel and 2004 Rioja.

2007

Lay & Wheeler takes the wraps off its new website in June, a significant resource of information as well as a convenient wine buying tool. For the first time the company's vast database of producer profiles, vintage notes and drinking dates is available on-line.
 
Another first was the Italian Winemakers Tasting, held in March at Haberdashers Hall, London. Over 250 customers met 12 rising star producers to taste and discuss their wines.

The future... to be continued...