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Greene King to cease brewing at its historic Westgate Brewery
Greene King has plans to move from its historic Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk to a new site in the same town.
The British brewer, known for beers such as Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale, has been brewing cask ales at its Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds for over 200 years.
However, despite its provenance attached to the historic brewery, it has made the decision to move and build a new brewery at Suffolk Park, next to Moreton Hall.
According to the historic beer company, it has made a £40m investment into the new site, which it hopes will assist in meeting its future sustainability objectives.
Brewing is planned to continue at Westgate Brewery until the new production site is ready. Building works are due to begin in 2025 and completed by 2027, subject to planning approval.
Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie admitted that “brewing in Bury St Edmunds is a core part of Greene King’s DNA”, but insisted that “this investment represents a further and significant ongoing commitment to our brewing operations in a town which has such a rich and storied connection with our business and with brewing.”
Mackenzie explained: “As we seek to make our operations more sustainable, our new brewery will future proof our ability to brew our much-loved brands, as we create a thriving modern hospitality business.”
Greene King managing director of brewing and brands Matt Starbuck added: “The development of this state-of-the-art facility will allow us to maintain brewing at the core of our business going forwards.”
Staff at Greene King were reportedly only told about the new plans this morning.
Greene King has been brewing at its Westgate Brewery site in Bury St Edmunds since 1799. As yet, there is no word as to what will happen to the original site and whether it will be sold.
Greene King has been contacted for comment on the developments and the planned move, but has so far remained silent on the details of what will happen to Westgate Brewery. An artist’s impression of the new site has, however, been shared by the brewer.
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