Marston’s is to acquire rival brewer Thwaites in a deal worth £25m, it has been revealed today.
The Daniel Thwaites business will continue as a pubs and hotels business — it has a 300-strong estate. The deal is due to complete on April 17.
Tom Stainer. head of communications at the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “The Campaign for Real Ale believes that consumer choice is always reduced when breweries are acquired by larger operators and we’re very concerned about the takeover of Thwaites, a long-established and respected regional family brewer, by Marston’s.
“While Marston’s has a relatively good history of respecting brewing heritage when it has previously taken over other breweries, such as Wychwood and Jennings, CAMRA will be paying close attention to its plans for the Thwaites brands it has just acquired.
“We’d urge Marston’s to ensure that the individual nature and taste of Thwaites’ brands are not diluted and lost as a result of this acquisition.”
