Greene King to close Hardys & Hansons' brewery

As widely anticipated, Greene King has announced that Hardys & Hansons' (H&H) Kimberley brewery is to close at the end of the year.

Following its acquisition of H&H in June the Suffolk brewer undertook a review of the business and concluded it would not be "economic" to keep the brewery open.

Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand said: "The review has given us a very detailed understanding of the company and has underlined the quality of the business we've acquired.

"We're pleased to announce that cellar service and distribution will continue at Kimberley, playing a crucial role in Greene King's development in the Midlands and north."

Anand welcomed H&H's pub operators and free trade sales teams into the business "and we look forward to working with them to build our company's reputation in the area".

However he noted that it "didn't make economic sense to continue brewing at Kimberley and sadly this means the brewery will close at the beginning of the year".

Brewing of H&H's ales will transfer to Bury St Edmunds, as will its head office functions, he added.

"This decision in no way reflects on the dedication and commitment of the Hardys and Hansons employees, which has been underlined by their professionalism since the acquisition announcement," he said.

Around 80 jobs are at risk, out of a total H&H workforce of 2,200.

"We have had to make some tough decisions but are as convinced as ever that Hardys and Hansons, Greene King, our licensees and our customers will really benefit from combining the two businesses," he concluded.