Butcombe Brewing Company has announced the opening of a new 54,000 sq ft Bridgwater depot, creating 12 jobs and supporting the double-digit growth in the brewer’s keg range, which includes Butcombe Original, Goram (Avon IPA) and Bohemia (Pilsner).
The facilities at the depot include a craft beer production unit, alongside a beer storage and delivery facility. Butcombe has also purchased a bottling and kegging line, which will bring the quality control of its bottled and kegs beers back in house.
In addition to the new depot, Butcombe has also acquired two pubs in Somerset. Today, it has completed the purchase of the Bower Inn, Bridgwater — an attractive 18th century pub set in a pictresque cottage garden, offering guests a choice of 16 well-appointed en-suite rooms. The purchase allows Butcombe to provide a total of 70 bedrooms within its managed estate.
Last week, the company acquired the Rodney Stoke Inn, on the edge of the Mendip Hills, which also joins the managed estate.
The acquisitions increase Butcombe’s total estate to 45 pubs, more than doubling in size since the start of the year. To support its staff, the company launched its Butcombe Academy on the November 23, alongside HIT training. This is the first stage of a training program which will also see the introduction of CPL online training throughout the managed and tenanted estates across the parent Liberation Group.
Landmark year
The new depot and pub acquisitions support The Liberation Group’s strategy of building Butcombe into the leading West Country regional brewer and pub owner.
Mark Crowther, chief executive of The Liberation Group, said: “The opening of our new depot, academy, and our rapidly expanding pub estate are vital parts of Butcombe’s landmark year, as we’ve moved closer to our goal of becoming the top brewer and pub company in the West Country.
“Our depot will allow us to increase production to keep pace with growing demand, and serve our customers more effectively at a lower cost. We intend to reinvest the savings into the development of the Butcombe beer brands to secure our future growth.
“The two high-quality pub acquisition enhance our expanding portfolio, and strengthen our presence in our West Country heartland. These pubs complement our existing portfolio and will benefit from supply by our market leading regional brewery with its well-known brands. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff and tenants to offer excellent service.”
