Two professionals from very different backgrounds have turned their passion for wine into business ownership, joining Local Wine School’s growing UK franchise network.
A career change does not always mean starting from scratch. For Debbie Jones and Stephen Mitchell, it meant turning a long-standing interest in wine into an opportunity to build businesses of their own.
This autumn, the former translator and investment banker launched Cheshire Mersey Local Wine School and Glasgow Local Wine School respectively, bringing their professional experience and enthusiasm for wine education into the franchise sector.
Their journeys reflect a growing appeal of franchising: the opportunity to move beyond traditional employment and build an independent business with the support of an established brand, a proven operating model and an existing customer proposition.
Local Wine School, which now operates 25 franchises and hosts tastings across more than 40 locations, has welcomed more than 65,000 customers to date. The network has also been named IWC Consumer Educator of the Year for the second consecutive year.
At the heart of its model is an independent approach to wine education. Unlike businesses that sell wine alongside their educational programmes, Local Wine School does not sell wine. This allows its instructors to focus on helping customers discover wines based on taste, quality and value rather than commercial sales priorities.
Its events cater to a broad audience, from beginners taking their first steps into wine appreciation to experienced enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge. The offering includes informal tastings, professional WSET courses, cheese and wine evenings, private functions, corporate events and gift vouchers.
For franchisees, this creates several potential revenue streams and opportunities to develop relationships with both individual customers and corporate clients.
A Translator Finds a New Language in Wine
For Debbie Jones, the move into wine education grew naturally from her professional background.
After spending 15 years working as a French and German translator, she developed a specialist interest in wine translation after being asked early in her career to translate material for a winery. The assignment introduced her to the technical and cultural aspects of the wine industry, eventually leading her to pursue professional wine qualifications.
While studying towards her WSET Diploma, Debbie discovered the Local Wine School franchise opportunity. “I’d been thinking about moving into something more wine related for a while so, when I found the franchise, I got chatting to Jeremy and it just seemed like a fantastic thing to be doing,” she said.
For Debbie, the transition from translation to wine education was not as significant a departure as it might initially appear. Both involve making complex information accessible and engaging for different audiences. “Translation is about taking information and reformulating it in a way that people can understand, and wine education is very similar.”
The school’s inclusive positioning was another important factor in her decision. Its emphasis on independent recommendations and accessible learning appealed to her desire to make wine education less intimidating.
“One of the big things behind Local Wine School is that there’s no snobbery and no barrier to entry. We’re independent and we don’t sell wine, so people can trust our recommendations. I like the idea of helping people find their new favourite bottle they didn’t know existed.”
Debbie launched Cheshire Mersey Local Wine School in September, bringing a new business to the region while building on the knowledge and communication skills developed throughout her previous career.
From Global Banking to Building a Wine Business in Glasgow
Stephen Mitchell’s route into wine franchising was shaped by an international career and years of experience in hospitality.
His investment banking career took him from London to Zurich, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Business dinners and exposure to different wine cultures along the way gradually developed into a deeper interest in the subject.
That interest eventually led him to study at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where he joined the institution’s first wine course.
In 2014, Stephen took another career turn, purchasing a pub in Argyll. It was here that he completed WSET Levels 1 to 4 and began organising wine tastings for customers.
The experience gave him an opportunity to combine hospitality, wine knowledge and customer engagement. It also helped him identify a business opportunity in Glasgow, where he believed there was room for a more accessible approach to wine education.
“When you come to Glasgow, whisky tasting is an obvious choice but wine tasting is also popular. What isn’t so common is the opportunity for beginners and those looking for a more relaxed experience, so there’s a real opportunity here,” he said.
The variety of programmes offered by Local Wine School also influenced his decision.
“When I researched what the schools do, the range really stood out, from themed tastings and professional courses to cheese and wine events, there’s something for everyone. Having the backing of an established brand and supportive network also appealed to me when starting another new business.”
Stephen launched Glasgow Local Wine School in September, bringing his combination of international business experience, hospitality knowledge and wine qualifications into the franchise network.
The Business Opportunity Behind Wine Education
The experiences of Debbie and Stephen highlight how franchise ownership can appeal to people whose professional backgrounds lie outside the industry they eventually enter.
For Local Wine School, the model is built around individuals who combine subject knowledge with communication skills and the ability to create engaging customer experiences.
Its multiple event formats allow franchisees to serve different audiences, including private groups, corporate clients, wine enthusiasts and people seeking an introduction to wine.
The absence of direct wine sales also gives the business a distinctive positioning, with education and independent recommendations forming the centre of its customer proposition.
Importantly, prospective franchisees do not necessarily need previous experience working in the wine trade. The company looks for people with a genuine interest in wine, the confidence to communicate with different audiences and the motivation to develop their own businesses.
Local Wine School Looks Ahead to Further UK Expansion
Following a year of network growth, Local Wine School is looking to build on its existing presence across the UK.
Managing Director Jeremy Dunn believes the latest franchise launches demonstrate the type of entrepreneurial profile the business hopes to attract. “2026 has been a fantastic year for Local Wine School,” he said. “Debbie and Stephen are great examples of the people who thrive with us. They bring a real passion for wine and a talent for sharing it – each has shaped their business around their own area and interests.”
He added that demand for independent and accessible wine education continues to create opportunities for the network.
The company currently has two London territories available, covering Central and North London, alongside opportunities in other UK regions. “We’d love to hear from anyone who dreams of turning their love of wine into a business of their own,” Dunn said.
As Local Wine School continues to develop its franchise network, its latest launches illustrate how franchising can provide an alternative route into entrepreneurship for professionals seeking a career change.
For Debbie, it is an opportunity to turn years of language and wine knowledge into a business centred on education. For Stephen, it brings together international business experience, hospitality and a long-standing interest in wine.
Neither followed a conventional route into the wine trade. Both have found a way to turn their interests into business ownership.
