PUB landlords in Worcester have spoken of their sadness after it was announced an 'iconic mainstay' brewery with deep roots in the region is to close after it was bought by a 'global brewer'.
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has announced its proposal to close Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton in Autumn 2025 as part of a restructuring of its brewery network.
We approached several pubs with ties to Banks's Brewery in or near the city but none were available for comment or directed us towards the press office.
However, a CAMRA spokesperson said the loss of the 'iconic mainstay' brewery was a devastating blow. Meanwhile, landlords in the city, even those who do not sell Banks's beers, say they are saddened by the loss.
Fred Jones of the Imperial Tavern in St Nicholas Street in Worcester said although he did not sell beers from Banks's it was 'sad for the industry'.
He said: "It's not good for any any breweries to be closing for whatever reason. It will be a massive loss. There is a great history to Banks's. My own family has drunk it for generations."
His sentiments were echoed by Matt Collins, landlord of the King's Head in Sidbury, who said it was 'sad a brewing house is to close, especially such a big one'.
The proposed restructuring comes in response to the decision by Mahou San Miguel not to renew its long-term exclusive licence partnership from 2025 and the decline of cask ale volumes over several years.
As part of the network restructuring, CMBC will increase investment in its breweries in Northampton and Burton, with a long-term ambition to establish Marston’s Brewery in Burton as a national centre for craft beer and traditional ale brewing in the UK.
RECOMMENDED READING: Eagle Vaults in Friar Street flies high for breakfasts
RECOMMENDED READING: Grosvenor Arms in Henwick Road was 'Ian Botham's local'
CMBC will be investing more than £6m in significant new projects at its brewery in Burton, including the refurbishment of its cask ale line to brew traditional British ales, as well developing the brewery’s capabilities for brewing innovative, contemporary craft ales.
In addition, as part of CMBC’s long-term logistics strategy, the business will be investing significantly in a new logistics depot in the Black Country region, to support its nationwide secondary logistics network.
Paul Davies, CEO of CMBC, said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision, however it has been necessary to restructure our business to maintain our competitiveness in a challenging UK beer market."
CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said: “This is devastating but predictable news from CMBC. Following the buyout of CMBC by Carlsberg – essentially turning Marston’s brewing business into a globally owned brand – we expected news like this sooner rather than later.
“After presiding over the closure of Jennings, the sale of the Eagle brewery and removing cask beers from bars in Scotland in the last few years, Carlsberg Marston’s are now closing another iconic brewery – putting jobs and the cask beers brewed there in jeopardy. This is more often than not the case when a global brewer buys a traditional British cask brewer."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here