UK: Number of breweries in the UK falls again

The number of breweries in the UK has fallen again, with 136 fewer in the country at the end of March than a year earlier, Global Drinks Intel reported on May 20.

Research from the Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) showed that the total number of active breweries stood at 1,641 as of 31 March, furthering the decline reported at the beginning of the year by the trade association. The ‘Brewery Tracker’ noted that Wales was the only UK region in the green in the 12-month period, albeit only gaining one brewery.

The south-east of England saw the biggest drop with a net closure rate of 38, while the Midlands recorded a decline of 33 breweries in the year. Scotland marked a 11 fall in breweries while Northern Ireland’s figure dipped by six.

“Times are incredibly tough for independent breweries, and whilst the price of a pint in pubs may be rising for drinkers, the price brewers are paid for their beer actually dropped over the last 12 months,” said SIBA CEO Andy Slee. “What is desperately needed is a lower tax burden for pubs, lower direct taxes for brewers and greater access for independent breweries to sell to pubs in their area – many of whom are currently controlled by global beer supply.

“The latest brewery tracker figures do take into account some brewing businesses that have been winding down during the last 12 months and we have also further improved our tracking processes – but even factoring that in, clearly things are not moving in the direction the industry would have hoped.”

In March, UK-based St Austell Brewery said it was looking to make a reduction of up to 40 roles – 2% of its workforce – through a round of redundancies.

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