The historic Jennings Brewery, in Cockermouth, Cumbria, closed by Carlsberg Marston’s, has been acquired by two local business owners and entrepreneurs.
Rebecca Jobson, digital media marketer at Wine and the Wood, Chris France, managing director of Jennings Brewery, and new brewery co-owner Rebecca Canfield
The brewery has been acquired, for an undisclosed sum, by Kurt Canfield, chief executive of specialist engineering business Delkia, and Rebecca Canfield, proprietor of wine and spirits company Wine and the Wood.
The deal involves the transfer of rights to the Jennings brand, including all trademarks, intellectual property, and recipes. Bottled beer under the Jennings brand will continue to be sold by what is now Carlsberg Britvic until March, after which beer production will transfer to the new company, Jennings Brewery Ltd.
“As lifelong residents of West Cumbria, we have cherished Jennings Brewery and its beer for many years,” said Rebecca. “Preserving the heritage of the brewery and the maltings building, which are integral to our community, is of utmost importance to us. We are delighted to bring Jennings back to the local area and to have it once again run by a family-owned business.
“The brewery has almost 200 years of brewing history, and one element that really attracted us to the project was the fact that it has its very own well. This is what makes it so beautiful and unique — an authentic Jennings beer can only be brewed with local water!”
Kurt added: “This project is a remarkable and ambitious endeavour, which we are taking on to benefit the entire community. The maltings building is an historic landmark, and we have extensive plans to enhance the site while respecting its heritage. However, critical repairs are necessary and will take time before we can get back to brewing the great beer that Jennings in known for.”
David Bodily, head of properties and facilities at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “We’re pleased to have completed the sale of Jennings Brewery to new, local owners, who are looking to preserve the site’s brewing heritage. The brewery is a unique location in Cockermouth, and we wish Kurt and Rebecca every success for the future.”
Jennings’ maltings building
The project is expected to create several new jobs in the area, including the appointment of a head brewer, a brewing team, and a local sales and marketing force. Some appointments have already been made, with Chris France, founder of speciality beer retailer Beer Hawk, joining as managing director.
Chris, who grew up in The Lake District, said: “Jennings was hugely influential as I developed my love for this industry, and the idea of bringing a great beer back to the heart of this town is an exciting prospect.
“There’s a rich brewing history here and we’d love to hear from anyone in the community who wants to join the team or be part of bringing it back.”
‘Large companies do not care about our brewing history’
Ash Corbett-Collins, chair of CAMRA, said: “When the historic Jennings brewery was closed in 2022 by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (now Carlsberg Britvic), it was yet another victim of the global brewer’s consolidation quest that has seen regional brewers shuttered, and classic cask beers pulled from bars.
“The casualty list, including the likes of Banks’s, Ringwood, and Wychwood, is a rotten reminder that large companies do not care about our brewing history.
“To hear that Jennings will make a comeback is fantastic news, but it should have never been closed in the first place. It will be great to see to see nearly 150 years of brewing heritage return to Cumbria, which can only benefit the local community and economy. I wish the new local owners the best of luck and look forward to having a pint of Jennings!”
