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Available since 1908

Vimto is a soft drink with an indescribable flavour that brings unique refreshment to people around the world. It was invented in 1908 by John Noel Nichols in Manchester, England. Created as a healthy pick-me-up tonic it comprised a blend of fruits, herbs and spices to give ‘vim’ and ‘vigour’ to its consumers. Originally called Vimtonic, and now known as Vimto, its recipe still remains a secret today.

Vimto is part of the global Nichols plc portfolio, which also includes other brands such as Feel Good Sunkist, ICEE, Slush Puppie and Starslush

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John Noel Nichols

The man behind Vimto. Born on December 28th in Blackburn, Lancashire, who grew up to create the unmistakable flavour that we all now know and love.

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Vimto is born.

Well, not quite as we know it today! It started as ‘Vimtonic’ — a herbal tonic made to give people ‘Vim & Vigour’. This new tonic drink was one of a number of products John delivered to small outlets, cafes and temperance bars. The unique blend of herbs and spices that contribute to the distinctive taste were sourced from around the world. Later, it became known as ‘Vimto’, and there are only a very small number of people in the world who know the secret recipe today!

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Moving day

As the love for the brand continued to grow, John’s current offices became too small.  So, Vimto packed its bags and moved from his wholesale herbalist hub in Central Manchester, down the road to Salford!

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Vimto’s first holiday.

The Vimto trademark was registered in British Guyana and the company’s International division began! Vimto was proud to now be known as an international brand!

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Introducing Fizzy Vimto!

The same unmistakable Vimto taste sensation, but now bursting with berry infused bubbles was born. Vimto was going from strength to strength, adding even more excitement to the range!

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Exporting internationally

After John’s friend, Richard Goodsir, took a few Vimto bottles to India for the local bottling firm to sample, the British Troops from the North West Regiments immediately welcomed the taste as a memory of home! But it wasn’t just the British Troops who welcomed Vimto into India, as it quickly became a local favourite and went on to become the first international country to receive Vimto concentrate for local production!

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A global taste sensation

Vimto was fast becoming a global taste sensation being available in over thirty foreign countries! From Peru to Albania and Liberia. In the Middle East the popularity of Vimto was spreading into the Arab States such as Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi! Vimto’s refreshingly different taste was now being enjoyed worldwide!

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Who said ads had to be serious?

To connect with the young and the glamorous, Vimto in it’s unique style made cheeky ads. Although advertising was restricted during this time, small newspaper adverts for Vimto appeared regularly throughout the war, as well as humorous Vimto showcards, created by the renowned cartoonist Herbert Stanley Terry!

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Look mum, I’m on TV!

Vimto is on TV for the first time… but not as we know it today. Back then TV adverts were only aired in black and white and on two channels, but Vimto proudly took centre stage in peoples homes, grasping the nation to showcase its distinctive products and cheeky personality!

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A super new look

It was time for a Vimto revamp! Red, white and blue became the new brand colours.. A brand that is proud to be British!

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The USA

Over the pond we go, Vimto has made it to America! Vimto is now sold in over 3,000 ethnic outlets across North America, particularly loved by people who have moved there from Africa and the  Middle East.

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Moving on up

Further brand growth meant relocating again to an even larger premise, with a shiny new factory too! This time Vimto moved to Wythenshawe, South Manchester, where a fancy new Vimto bottling line was installed.

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Max the mascot

In addition to the British heritage striped colours of blue, red and white on our products, Max the British Bulldog was also added to our branding. He even appeared in a few TV ads, where he was the star of the show!

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Vimto – but diet!

Diet Vimto was invented and promoted by the Roly Polys dance act! See, we have always been a bit cheeky!!

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A feature for life

A monument of Vimto was unveiled behind the University of Manchester to celebrate our local roots. The statue, made of stained oak, depicts a bottle of Vimto surrounded by the fruits and spices used in its production. It was created by the great sculpture, Kerry Morrison.

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Purple Ronnie!

We ramp up Vimto’s personality and cheekiness with Purple Ronnie – our famous spokesperson who became synonymous with the  brand and featured in the adverts for 7 years.

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DISCO? VIMTO!

Matt Lucas gifts our ears with a Vimto version of the famous DISCO song for our newest advert. V-I-M-T-O …catchy or what? We can hear you singing it to yourselves now!

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Dad’s pants!

A cheeky advert involving some giant pants graces our TV screens, and once again captures the nation’s hearts and minds. The catchy tune could often be heard across the school playgrounds of the UK.

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100 years!

We celebrated our 100th birthday! 100 years old! What a better way to celebrate a century  than the launch of an original bottle to remind us where it all started. We proudly launched an old fashioned cordial bottle and a contemporary Vimto cluedo board game.

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Seriously mixed-up fruit

Our target audience gets a little younger, and our characters get a bit bolder, with the launch of the  ‘Seriously Mixed Up Fruit’ marketing campaign. Who knew fruit could be so cheeky?

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A new croaksperson

Vimto is back on TV with a new frontman – the Vimtoad! Voiced by stand up comedian Justin Moorhouse, the ad sees the Vimtoad leap into a shopper’s trolley, sticking out his tongue, before she agrees to try a glass of Vimto! Such a loveable rogue our Vimtoad!

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Chilled out

New frozen Vimto launches for the first time, delivering the ultimate taste experience. It doesn’t get more refreshing(ly) different than this!

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Water with a twist

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Vimto expands into water with new Vim2o (see what we did there – clever, hey!).

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I See Vimto in You

Vimto breaks new ground with a multiple award winning, anti-advertising campaign. Afterall, we are renowned for doing things differently, so why not an advertising first too? Come on let us know, did YOU close your eyes?

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Our iconic new look

Vimto reveals its new iconic design across the whole range. This bold new design retains all of the brand’s personality and heritage, whilst still being refreshingly different and unmistakably Vimto!

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