Thwaites set to relocate entire business

UK beer giant Thwaites has bought a new site where it plans to relocate its entire workforce ending more than 200 years of history at its current site in Blackburn.

Thwaites current brewery in Blackburn where it has operated from since 1807

The brewer moved into its current site in Blackburn in 1807, but is set to build a brand new brewery, head office and visitor centre at a new site located nearby at the foot of the Ribble Valley in Lancashire.

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.”

Bailey said its investment would allow the brewer to expand its range of cask, seasonal and craft ales to safeguard its brewing heritage while introducing “newer, more efficient and more flexible equipment” to develop new beers.

The sale will be completed over the next six months with work due to start in early 2015, subject to planning permission.

Thwaites said it had no immediate plans for its existing site in Blackburn.