OWNERS of a long-standing Hampshire brewery have announced their plans to sell the premises and brand.
Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) wishes to sell Ringwood Brewery due to extensive investment required to maintain its viability.
Best known for its cask ales and boar mascot present across all the brewery’s beers, Ringwood Brewery was founded in 1978, and after outgrowing its original premises, moved to the current site in Christchurch Road in 1986.
Under the proposals, the brewery and the ale brands – including Razorback, Old Thumper, Boondoggle and Fortyniner – would be put on the market for sale.
CMBC’s logistics operation at Ringwood is proposed to close, with deliveries relocated to CMBC’s depots at Tiverton and Farnborough, with support from the Cardiff depot.
Paul Davies, CEO of CMBC, said: “We are announcing our intention to put our Ringwood Brewery in Hampshire up for sale. This includes the rights for Ringwood’s well-loved ale brands.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly – we have incredible respect for the effort and dedication of the team at Ringwood.
“However, the brewery’s location in a residential area makes expansion complicated, and as such the investment required to bring its capacity and capability up to the level we need for our business is too great to be a viable path for CMBC.
“To ensure our future growth and simplify the business, we are looking for a new owner for Ringwood in the brewing industry, including its excellent range of local ales.
“We are confident that, by taking these actions now, we can ensure we continue to grow, innovate and deliver great beers across the UK, putting us in the best possible position to achieve success now and in the future.”
READ MORE: Unity Brewing Co reopens under new ownership
In 2007, Ringwood was purchased by Marston's for £19.2 million. Marston's disposed of its brewing operations in 2020, selling assets to a joint venture with the Carlsberg Group to create the Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company.
A Marston’s spokesperson said: “We respect CMBC’s announcement and are pleased that Ringwood beers will still be available. We understand that local pubs and customers are passionate about local beers and we assure our guests that we will be seeking to continue local beer supply in pubs.”
Mr Davies added: “We have informed colleagues affected by these proposals at the brewery and our priority now is to support them through this process, and to begin the search for the right buyer for Ringwood.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel