Market Town Taverns rises with Rooster’s

Market Town Taverns, the pub operator based in Yorkshire, has taken a stride into brewing with the acquisition of the highly-rated Rooster’s Brewery in Knaresborough.

Owner Ian Fozard will take control of the brewery, set up by Sean and Alison Franklin and renowned for its heady hop-driven ales, at the end of the year.

While plans are afoot for Ian’s two sons, Oliver and Tom, to oversee brewing operations, Sean and Alison Franklin will continue as brewing consultants during 2012.

Oliver has extensive ale-making experience, having spent more than a decade working at both Daleside Brewery in Harrogate and Copper Dragon Brewery in Skipton. Tom Fozard, meanwhile, has retail experience with the Beer Ritz off-licence chain.

Ian Fozard, who acted in a personal capacity in the acquisition, said: “I am proud to have been approached by Sean and Alison to take over the brewery.

“My sons and I are looking forward to working with them during the next eight months.

“We’re determined to maintain the innovation and high quality standards for which Rooster’s beers are highly renowned.”

He said: “My lads are very excited. We’ve been talking for a long time about doing something together. This opportunity came up and we thought we’d go for it.”

Sean Franklin said: “I’ve known Ian for 30-plus years and I’m confident that the brewery will be in good hands. I’m looking forward to introducing Oliver and Tom to the dark arts of Rooster’s brewing process. Then I’m going fishing for a while.”

Ben McFarland, 13.05.2011