“Shattered”: Beloved Victorian drinks maker Billson’s enters voluntary administration

Victorian distillery and tourist attraction Billson’s has entered voluntary administration, after what co-owner Nathan Cowan called “vast and incomprehensible” challenges to the business.

Billson’s, which operates from a historic facility in the north-east Victorian town of Beechworth, reportedly tapped Rob Smith and Matthew Hutton of McGrath Nicol as voluntary administrators on Wednesday.

In a statement shared to social media, Cowan, who took over the Billson’s business in 2017 with his wife Felicity, said he was “shattered” by the decision.

“We’ve tried everything imaginable over the past six months to avoid this situation, including restructuring on two occasions, however we now believe this to be the necessary step for survival.”

The business has enjoyed significant success since the Cowans took over, with its range of colourful vodka-based beverages and fruity cordials now stocked nationwide, and the Beechworth site itself cementing itself as a popular sightseeing destination.