Wadworth to refocus on brewing and pub operations following review
The change will result in its wine and spirits warehouse closing, reducing its haulage by 15,000 miles per year and the establishment of a new customer services team to serve its own pub customers more efficiently.
With more than 200 pubs across the south-west of England and London, Wadworth has brewed its beer in Devises, Wiltshire, since 1875. The market town also features Wadworth’s flagship hotel and pub, The Bear Hotel – who’s operator Gordon Straker was presented with a special recognition award at the brewer’s Best of the Best awards ceremony in November.
Speaking about the change, chief executive officer Chris Welham commented: “These changes enable us to further put all of our energy into our core pub and beer business.
“Our recent partnership with a single wine and spirit supplier means we no longer source wines and spirits from many different suppliers.
“Our wines and spirits can now be delivered directly to KNDL’s central distribution centre in Thatcham which will not only reduce our carbon footprint, but improve our efficiency of operations.”
A number of roles are subject to a TUPE transfer or are at risk of redundancy. Consultations are taking place with those affected by this change.
Wadworth recently announced on its website that its contract brewing operation over the past 18 months had seen them brew more than 9,000 barrels of contract beer, including 3,500 barrels of lager.
Popular Wadworth beers that have enhanced the brewer’s reputation include 6X, a classic crafted amber ale that has been in production for nearly a century, and Swordfish, a blend of Wadworth beer and Pusser’s Navy rum.
