News - 11 August 2015

Brewing boost is a cause for cheers

An award-winning Derbyshire brewery – whose expansion was boosted with the help of D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership investment – has been cited by Government as proof of a British brewing resurgence, which it claims has seen an average of three breweries opening each week.

Britain had returned to its rightful role as a “brewing powerhouse”, claimed Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones today (August 11), as new figures sourced via the British Beer and Pub Association revealed that in 2014 (the latest figures available) more than 1,400 breweries opened in Britain.

Among those businesses quoted as a success story was Thornbridge Brewery of Bakewell, Derbyshire, which this year marks its tenth anniversary. Its Owner and CEO is Jim Harrison (pictured below).

Jim Harrison

Last October (2014) award winning Thornbridge received a £78,000 grant from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Unlocking Investment for Growth grant; to enable it to expand its premises, produce more ale for fresh international markets, and take on extra staff.

The Government news release issued today, on the first day of the Great British Beer Festival in London, said that the number of breweries in the East Midlands had grown from 118 two years ago to 149 now and that the number of jobs in the region supported by the beer and pub sector now stood at 66,181.

Mike Benner, from the Society of Independent Brewers, added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for British craft brewing. The number of breweries is soaring, leading to more jobs across the UK and more choice for consumers.”

Unlocking Investment for Growth received funding from the UK’s Regional Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. UI4G grants were awarded to businesses with the aim of creating long term sustainable jobs. UI4G is now fully committed and not accepting applications. Grants already approved are expected to over 400 new jobs and safeguard a further 350 existing jobs.

For more information about Thornbridge Brewery see its website at www.thornbridgebrewery.co.uk

Further information about the D2N2 LEP and its work can be found at website www.d2n2lep.org

Media requiring more information about the work of the D2N2 LEP can contact Sean Kirby, D2N2 Communications Officer, on 01159 578749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org 

Latest News & Events

05 December 2023

Made Smarter East Midlands welcomes Government’s £4.5 billion investment in manufacturing

Read Article

29 November 2023

D2N2 LEP Annual Event and AGM, 7 December 2023 12 – 2.30pm: last call for registrations

Read Article

22 November 2023

D2N2 LEP welcomes the announcement of an East Midlands Investment Zone in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Read Article

22 November 2023

Creative businesses in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire set to benefit from funding to help them thrive

Read Article

16 November 2023

New showreel videos promote the impact of the D2N2 Growth Hub

Read Article

15 November 2023

Charter for Inclusive Entrepreneurship, supported by D2N2, launches nationally to minimise barriers to business for under-represented groups

Read Article

10 November 2023

D2N2 LEP Chair, Elizabeth Fagan, shares her thoughts on the strategy and plans for East Midlands devolution, on track to happen in Spring 2024

Read Article

10 November 2023

David Williams, Deputy Chair of D2N2 LEP, receives his MBE in Derbyshire

Read Article

30 October 2023

Mark Rogers, Interim Chief Officer for the East Midlands Devolution Programme, to speak at D2N2 Annual Event and AGM

Read Article

27 October 2023

Milestone achieved for East Midlands devolution

Read Article

Get in touch.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up
Address

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
8 Experian Way
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG2 1EP

Social

Our Partners