Member Article

Thwaites announce site for new brewery

North West brewers Daniel Thwaites has announced that it has secured the purchase of a site to house its new brewery and head office, and will be looking to secure planning consent over the coming months to start a build programme early in 2015.

The new complex will be built at Sykes Holt in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire.

In a detailed statement, Richard Bailey, CEO of Daniel Thwaites said: “This is a tremendously exciting day for us, to be able to share where we plan to relocate our whole business to over the coming months.

“We have been looking for a new site for over two years, and Sykes Holt, Mellor Brook fits perfectly with our vision for the future of the business. We will be applying for planning permission to build our new brewery, head office and a visitor centre.

“Completion of the purchase will take place in six months, in order to allow the current owner time to leave the site. We will be working hard in that time to make sure that as soon as we complete the purchase we will be in a position to start work quickly.

“We will be working with the planners to create an exciting scheme to make the most of the site, part of which dates back to 1540.

“It has always been hugely important to us that we stay close to Blackburn, which has been our home for over 200 years, and we have been very aware that we would like to safeguard jobs in the area, so

“I am very pleased that we have been able to find a site that is only a few miles away, where we will continue to employ over 200 people in our head office across our brewery, pubs, inns and hotels. Our distribution team of 120 people will be staying where they are at our existing depot in Blackburn for the foreseeable future.

“Thwaites’ new brewery and head office will be located on the A59, at the foot of the Ribble Valley and will be very accessible for people coming to visit us. Our investment in the new brewery will allow us to brew a full range of our cask, seasonal and craft ales and will allow our brewers and team to be completely focused on the quality and consistency of our beers.

“We remain committed to safeguarding our brewing heritage, and newer, more efficient and more flexible equipment will help our team to continue to brew our old friends, but also to develop new and interesting beers.

“We do not have any immediate plans for our existing site, as we have not been able to deliver on our plan to bring Sainsbury’s into Blackburn. However we continue to believe that a redevelopment of the site presents an exciting opportunity for Blackburn town centre, which is already being regenerated with investments in the shopping centre, the Cathedral Quarter and the new bus station. As a result we will be looking to find partners who can help us to realise that opportunity.”

Steve Magnall, Managing Director of Thwaites Beer Co said: “This is great news for Thwaites, our customers and our drinkers who enjoy our beers, as it signifies the next chapter in our story.

“We will now be working hard to ensure a seamless transition to our new site at Sykes Holt and we cannot wait to brew that first beer in the new brewery”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .