Purity gets green light to expand brewery

Purity Brewing Company has had plans approved which wil allow itl almost triple its current brewing capacity to 5.9m pints a year.

The 5,000 sq ft brew house will be based at empty barns at the company's farm site and be ready for action next summer. It will be capable of producing up to 400 brewer's barrels a week - 115,000 pints.

As part of the expansion, Purity will install heat exchange technology that will cut its energy usage by 30 per cent.

Purity's planning application was backed by MP for Stratford Upon Avon, Nadhim Zahawi, who wrote to the council after visiting the brewery.

Zahawi said: "The new brewery signals a major step forward in its growth, and that's a tremendous development for the rural economy locally.

"I've always been confident that the rural economy can pick itself up after the terrible battering it's suffered in recent years - and Purity's plans demonstrate convincingly that with the right entrepreneurial drive, determination and commitment rural areas will fight back successfully."

Earlier this month Purity, based in Redditch, Warwickshire, announced that this year's turnover had risen by 53 per cent to £2.01m - with net profits doubling to £200,000. It's beers are also now available in 500 pubs.

Purity managing director Paul Halsey said: "Purity has had a fantastic year building our brand by supporting local events such as the Birmingham Comedy festival and Moseley Folk Festival.

"Add to this our growth in net profit by 50 per cent over the last year, a growing customer base of over 500 pubs and the planning application being granted… well, it's safe to say the team and I will be having a pint to celebrate."