Surrounded by the heady aroma of herbs, spices and essences from around the world, John Noel Nichols created the unique Vimto taste in a wooden barrel in his warehouse at 49 Granby Row in central Manchester in 1908. The flavoured fruit cordial was intended to be a healthy pick-me up tonic which gave those who drank it vim and vigour. Along with herbs, roots, barks, spices and ready prepared medicines, he supplied the cordial to the many herbalists in the Manchester area. They would serve Vimto with the addition of hot, cold or carbonated water at the small areas of seating they provided. Another popular place for refreshments for children and young people, was the temperance bar. Vimto rapidly promoted itself not only as a health tonic, but also as an ideal temperance beverage, at the height of the movement against the 'evils' of alcohol.

In 1910 the rapidly expanding company moved to 203 Chapel Street in Salford, near Manchester. By 1921 the concentrate was being sold to bottling agents in Britain and Ireland who would add carbonated water and distribute it to corner shops, cafes, ice cream parlours and cinemas. J.N Nichols & Co supplied labels, so that the brand could be easily recognised, despite the variety of bottles.

To encourage bottling agents and mineral water outlets, the company supplied advertising showcards, bottle display stands and promotional novelties such as The Vimto Book of Knowledge published regularly from the First World War.

By 1926, the cordial could be bought in bottles at the corner shop, to be made up at home. It was promoted as a delicious and warming drink with the addition of hot water. Newspaper and cinema adverts continued to illustrate Vimto as being a treat for all generations and a great problem solver.

In 1927 the move was made to Ayres Road, Old Trafford to an large old laundry building. The staff numbered thirty two and a fleet of delivery trucks were emblazoned with the Vimto name. By this time the drink was fully established as soft drink, taken for its flavour and thirst-quenching properties, despite its description as a Health Tonic which Keeps You Fit.

It was in the early 1920s that Vimto concentrate and cordial was first sold abroad, at first to India and then to Saudi Arabia. By 1930, Vimto could be bought in over 30 countries abroad. Vimto International continues to encourage new markets, as well as increasing sales in long-standing areas.

During World War II, the Soft Drinks Industry (War Time) Association (SDI) meant that Vimto, along with other brands, became an anonymous Speciality Flavour Cordial. The overall quality was poor, however, due to restrictions on many of the ingredients, including sugar. To save on bottling and transport resources, only cordials were available. The brand returned in 1947, but output was restricted until the end of sugar rationing in 1953 and the greater availability of bottles. In the factory, the old wooden barrels were replaced by stainless steel vats and new filling and labelling machinery was installed to increase production. The herbalist supply side of the business ceased, because with the introduction of the National Health Service Act in 1948, medicines from the chemist became readily available.

Advertising began again with a series of showcards by Punch cartoonist Herbert Stanley Terry being the most popular. Glamorous women on less brand specific showcards continued to promote the drink to the rapidly expanding soft drink trade. The first television advert appeared in 1956. Since then, the likes of Derek Griffiths and the Roly Polys (introducing Diet Vimto) have brought the Vimto brand to the television screen.

The firm became a public company in 1961. Vimto first appeared in cans and in 1969 Nichols carbonated and bottled its own sparkling version of the drink, as well as continuing to rely on bottling and canning agents all over the world. John Noel Nichols died in 1966, having been joined in the running of the firm by his sons Peter in 1939 and John in 1950. In 1971 his grandson John Nichols, the current Executive Chairman joined the firm. It was in that year that the move was made to the purpose built factory at Ledson Road in Wythenshawe, South Manchester. John Noel Nichols other grandson, Simon Nichols joined the firm in 1983 and is now Finance Director and Company Secretary. Vimto moved again in 1999 to a larger factory at Golborne near Haydock which brought all production together under one roof from three geographically diverse sites.