Bullards to revive Norfolk brewery at new site
Production at the Anchor Brewery in Norwich ended in 1967 after almost a century of supplying beers to the the city.
A planning application to construct a modern brewery on a farm near Dereham has been submitted to Breckland District Council.
Home county revival
The land is owned by the great, great, grandson of founder Richard Bullard, board director John Bullard, who said it was a privilege to revive the company in its home county.
He said: “This new facility will enable us to do just that by using modern standards of production, with the capacity to develop and expand our product range, supporting the region’s economy with employment and the use of local suppliers.”
Bullard added: “We’re rightly proud of our local heritage and we believe that there is the potential to make both Norwich and Norfolk renowned once more for its brewing.
Since a revival in 2015, the company has produced 30 beer barrels a month at the Redwell Brewery in Norwich, including its No.1 East Coast Pale Ale.
It is hoped the brewery will be able to employ up to 10 staff, including a number of apprentices.
References to history
Construction would start next spring if the planning application is approved.
Architectural features would include the shape of a traditional grain silo and a reference to the Anchor Brewery chimney stack, demolished in 1982, with vertical lettering on the main façade.
Bullards is also known for its handcrafted gin range, which includes London Dry, Strawberry and Black Pepper and Old Tom.
It is the only company to distill and bottle gin in Norwich and will relocate its production to a new city centre site in November, where a 600-litre still will enable it to quadruple spirit production.
