Moorhouse's reveals plans for £1m brewery

Award-winning brewer Moorhouse's has announced its £1m vision for a new brewery in Burnley.

David Grant, managing director of the brewer, last week laid out plans that would double both production capacity and employment. The proposals show the brewery would need to extend into council-owned land.

Mr Grant implored councillors to allow the expansion as he fears a negative decision would mean moving the brewery out of Burnley.

"If the council will allow us this land for our expansion we will be able to keep the brewery in Burnley. This is what we really want to do, rather than be forced to move elsewhere," he said. "We are outgrowing ourselves and commercial decisions have to be made."

Further plans include creating 35 new jobs at the brewery, the opening of a visitors' centre as well as a centre of excellence for licensees and barstaff.

Mr Grant added that any increase in size would not compromise the quality of the brewer's beers. "We have seen a 175 per cent growth over five years in a market that the pundits frequently say is in decline," he said.

"Moorhouse's is proof that cask-conditioned beer has a very promising future as discerning consumers demand quality and taste over the fizz offered by international brewers.

"Moorhouse's will remain a brewer of hand-crafted real ale and this major investment we have planned is testimony to that commitment."

"Our training centre would be an investment in the future of cask beer for the industry."