Marston’s brewery in Burton-upon-Trent is set to be shut down in a blow for the British beer industry.
Carlsberg Britvic has announced it wants to close the Staffordshire site next summer, citing UK drinkers turning their backs on the types of cask ales that have been brewed there for centuries.
Chief executive Paul Davies said that the ‘stark reality’ was that volumes were falling in the UK and he wanted to focus the business ‘on where customer demand is growing’.
He added that the proposal was ‘by no means a reflection on any of our people, and every effort will be made to help them through this period of uncertainty’.
The site employs 310 people.
Davies said: ‘I am very aware that this news will have come as a shock for colleagues, as I recognise the impact of this proposal is significant.
‘While we remain proud of the role we have played in supporting and investing in the ale category overall, the stark reality is that UK cask ale volumes have more than halved in less than a decade, and this trend looks set to continue across the UK.’
He added: ‘Marston’s Brewery, its history and legacy in Burton upon Trent are iconic, and our teams there are true experts in ale.’
The business will keep its major ale brands, including Hobgoblin, McEwan’s and Brooklyn, but plans to sell its smaller names.
Danish giant Carlsberg combined with mixer maker Britvic in a £3.3billion deal in 2024. It also bought out Marston’s 40 per cent stake in the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company for £206million.
This is a breaking news story…
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.