AN INNOVATIVE drinks-on-wheels service in Oxford has received a major cash boost to expand its business.

Established in 2009 by three friends, the Cocktail Service will be able retain its bartenders and mixologists thanks to £100,000 funding.

The cash from Santander is part of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme – a Government-backed project to guarantee bank loans to companies.

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The Oxford-based company, which provides mobile bars for events and festivals, has increased its annual turnover by around 60 per cent over the last two years, and has worked with more than 600 events in the UK including full bar management for 17 festivals.

The Cocktail Service that has catered for global brands such as Adidas, Facebook, Harrods and Quintessential Brands is getting ready to resume services once the lockdown restrictions are fully lifted.

Casey Small, co-founder of the Cocktail Service, praised Santander UK for the loan and added: "Santander has been brilliant, and easy to work with - very smooth throughout the process, so thank you very much for that."