Family brewery unveils expansion plans

13 hours ago

Gavin McEwanLocal Democracy Reporting Service

The characteristic black-and-white building at Wye Valley Brewery will be demolished and a larger taproom and cafe housed in a building behind it

PA Media A black-and-white building which has a sign saying Wye Valley Brewery. Several cars are outside the building and a van is driving past. A white building with a grey roof and chimneys is in the background. — The characteristic black-and-white building at Wye Valley Brewery will be demolished and a larger taproom and cafe housed in a building behind it

An independent brewery has unveiled plans to expand in a move which would see it create new jobs and nearly double its production.

Wye Valley Brewery, of Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire, has applied for planning permission to the council for extensive remodelling of its site, including removing its roadside visitor centre.

"Market forecasts suggest that demand is likely to continue to increase," a statement with its application said. "Currently the available production capacity is constraining the growth of the business."

The plans include a new larger brewhouse, extra fermentation vessels, warehouse space, extra parking and staff facilities.

'More jobs'

Upgraded laboratory and workshops are also proposed.

Managing director Vernon Amor said: "As an independent family business, we invest not just for the next few years ahead, but for the longer term and future generations.

"Through our biggest-ever programme of capital investment, we aim to create more jobs, attract visitors to the county of Herefordshire, improve the working conditions for our staff, and further improve the quality of our beers by adopting innovative, world-class, energy-efficient technology."

The application said the site's role as a visitor attraction will be enhanced beyond the current "relatively uninspiring" tap room and shop.

Instead the three-storey brewery building behind it will house a larger tap room cafe/restaurant and visitor centre.

It will include a roof terrace overlooking the brewery site and "showcase the best of Wye Valley Brewery beers, their local suppliers and Herefordshire produce more generally", the planning statement added.

The new facilities will feature the latest in efficient brewing equipment and new solar panels installed on available roofs and on land to the north, which is the subject of a separate planning application.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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