Greene King is closing its 200-year-old brewery in Bury St Edmunds in plans to ... trends now
Greene King will close its 200-year-old brewery in Bury St Edmunds and open a new £40million facility in its place as part of an ambitious bid to 'modernise' and invest in the future of British brewing.
The brewer known for Abbot Ale and Old Speckled Hen, as well as its national chain of 2,700 gastropubs, was born in the historic Suffolk market town in 1799 - but sold to Hong Kong's richest family in 2019 for a whopping £2.7billion.
The company says its new facility represents a 'major commitment' to the 'future of British brewing', evolving with the times while staying true to its 220 year history.
'This investment represents a further and significant ongoing commitment to our brewing operations in a town which has such a rich and storied connection with our business and with brewing,' said Nick Mackenzie, CEO at Greene King.
'As we seek to make our operations more sustainable, our new brewery will future proof our ability to brew our much-loved brands, as we create a thriving modern hospitality business.'
Greene King expects the new hub will be completed by 2027, and assured that operations would continue at the existing Westgate brewery until then.
The brewery in the historic town of Bury will be replaced by a custom-built £40mn facility
Greene King plans to open a brewing hub (rendering pictured) near its new distribution centre
Under the new plans, most of Greene King's brewing operations will transfer to the £40mn facility, next to its new distribution centre.
The company did not specify if or how jobs might be affected by the move.
The move received support from local officials, Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmunds commenting: 'Greene King is at the heart of our Bury St Edmunds community, and has been for more than two centuries.
'Building a modern, more sustainable brewery that looks to the future will
