Famous UK brewery to close after three decades: ‘This news is a hammer blow’

Famous UK brewery to close after three decades: ‘This news is a hammer blow’ Sharp’s has been brewing ale in Cornwall for more than 30 years - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Sharp’s Brewery, famous for producing Doom Bar ale, will close after more than three decades. At least 40 jobs are up for redundancy after a six-month consultancy period by the Cornish brewery’s multinational owner, Molson Coors, has concluded. Sharp’s cask brands, including Doom Bar, Sea Fury and Atlantic Pale Ale, will move more than 400 miles away to an independent brewery in Hartlepool, while production of Sharp’s keg and packaged brands will continue at Molson Coors’ Burton and Tadcaster breweries. Doom Bar, Sharp’s most popular cask ale, was originally named after a Cornish sandbar which sits nearby in the Camel Estuary. Molson Coors said that despite investing £20 million in the brewery since acquiring it in 2011, it was no longer financially sustainable. Simon Kerry, managing director of UK and Ireland, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult period for everyone involved with Sharp’s – the brewery has been a huge part of our business for the last 15 years and is home to some of the most passionate and talented people in the beer industry. “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and continued investment over the years, the brewery is no longer financially sustainable, and we have had to take decisive action to help support long-term growth in our UK and Ireland business.” He continued: “We are pleased to have agreed heads of terms with a family-owned and experienced cask brewer that will allow Sharp’s brands to continue and ensure that our consumers continue to enjoy the brands they know and love. For now, our focus is on supporting our impacted colleagues throughout this transition.” The closure has sparked outrage among ale lovers, with the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) calling for a “pasty-style” guarantee in law, to prevent the beers being marketed as Cornish. Dave Pedlar, Cornwall Camra chair, said it was a “betrayal” to the founders of the brewery and the local community. “This is a betrayal of the founders of Sharp's, the 40 people whose jobs are at risk, and the locals that have supported this business for decades,” he said. “We’ve known for a while that the Sharp's cask production was moving out of the Duchy, but Hartlepool is 417 miles away, which is as far from Rock as Brussels. We need ‘pasty-style’ consumer protection laws that stop Molson Coors from continuing to market these beers as Cornish.” The brewery’s site in Rock, and its national contact centre in Cardiff, were originally proposed for closure in February. North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire warned the closure would impact jobs in the local community, and wrote to Molson Coors at the time for answers on how the consultation would be handled. "Sharp’s and its famous ales like Doom Bar have become part of Cornwall’s identity,” Mr Maguire told The Independent. “This news is a hammer blow for the local economy, and for the hospitality sector here in Cornwall that is already on its last legs. Small businesses like pubs are the glue that holds communities together, but ministers’ decisions on costs and taxation are pushing far too many dangerously to the brink at the moment. “It is deeply disappointing to see an American multinational move production out of Cornwall, and ministers should look at giving Cornish beers, ales, and other drinks the same protections as the Cornish pasty, so that what is branded Cornish is genuinely made here." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments