An events company from Worcestershire is delivering drinks with a difference after converting a horsebox into a mobile bar.

Adrian Jones from Decanter Events decided the HB506 model from Ifor Williams Trailers was the perfect vehicle for his new venture - thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.

A property developer as well as events organiser, the 43-year-old knew the eye-catching bar would be a hit at weddings and special occasions and his kit is already proving popular.

Adrian, who lives with his wife in Ombersley near Worcester, said: “We’re booked for several parties and we have a busy summer season ahead.

"The bar is perfect for weddings and events as it has its own generator so is completely independent but it’s fitted with freezers and fridges so we can provide all kids of drinks.

“There are ale pumps within the unit but I suppose it’s more designed for cocktails and spirits. The unit is made up of two parts so for a small event you can serve drinks direct from the trailer but for a larger occasion you can fold out a second bar area externally.”

The whole bar can be set up ready to serve drinks by one person in about half an hour and the kit onboard will allow a capable cocktail waiter or master mixologist to produce every drink imaginable.

Andrew Reece-Jones, the Design Engineering Manager at Ifor Williams Trailers, said: "It never ceases to amaze me the different uses people find for our trailer.

"The HB506 was designed to transport two horses up to 16.2hh - we certainly did not envisage it being used as a mobile bar but it seems it's also perfect for this purpose.

"We'd like to raise a toast to Adrian's ingenuity."

Decanter Events are keen to promote the best of British manufacturing and their Ifor Williams trailer arrives at events pulled by a Landrover Discovery – all painted in a matching grey with the company livery.

The classy look appeals to many venues and the trailer had to provide a big part of that rural yet glamourous company ethos.

After extensive research, Adrian, knew that the instantly recognisable Ifor Williams  Trailers shape and style would be perfect for his venture, so he purchased the horsebox from local distributors Morris Bufton in Ludlow.

The Shropshire store supplies trailers for all manner of agricultural needs, but has never see one of its products used in this way before.

Owner John Bufton said: “We’ve done a few different things but I’ve never seen a trailer used quite like this before.

“That model would normally be used to transport a couple of horses with a dividing wall between them that we took out for Adrian.

“It’ll be interesting to see how it goes. It certainly looks the part now and I think it will be quite successful for him and his events business.”

A family firm supplying agricultural equipment since 1954, Morris Bufton is now owned by the sons of the two men who started the company and has been the local distributor for Ifor Williams Trailers  for 45 years.

Transforming the horsebox into a slick, modern and functional bar was a relatively simply process for Adrian, who used existing contacts to get the job done.

He said: “I have some contacts with a local engineering firm who helped with the fit out and then my father-in-law together with another company director’s father-in-law did the interior.

“They are both retired carpenters so knew what they were doing and we’re really pleased with the result.”

 “We had looked at a couple of alternative trailers but came back to Ifor Williams because they are so well known as a brand. They epitomise what we’re after, which I suppose is the country set – that’s why our look is all tartan and tweeds.

“We’re also based in a pretty agricultural area so Ifor Williams Trailers are just a familiar sight.”

---

News » Horse box with a kick is a UK first