Thwaites brewery has been at the heart of Blackburn for more than two centuries.

DAN CLOUGH visits the site of the beer-maker’s new countryside home.

 

IT is a 16th-century farm cottage tucked away off the A59 on the approach to Mellor Brook.

But the farmhouse and seven acres of land surrounding Sykes Holt will soon be home to East Lancashire’s biggest brewer.

And having completed the purchase of the site, believed to date back as far as 1500, Thwaites chief executive Rick Bailey said the future of the 200-year-old Blackburn-based brewery was exciting.

Speaking at the site, Mr Bailey said: “This is a big step forward. We are all excited to get on with the move. We will be looking to bring the staff over in January to show them the site. We are excited about developing it.

“Once it is finished it will be amazing. It is such a beautiful place.

“This is a start and we are lucky to have what we have here, as it has so much character.”

The farm, accessible off the A59 between the Mellor Brook roundabout and the expansive BAe Systems site, is set for the biggest transformation of its long history.

As things stand, visitors are greeted by a Grade Two-listed former farmhouse, which is the only feature likely to be left standing.

A block of stables and storage buildings are likely to be knocked down.

The main former living area follows a circular track, with land to the north-east. As the track bends to the right, evidence of a house is visible and an old swimming pool can be seen. Mr Bailey said: “We are talking to the architect about the design so we can’t say what the layout of the site will be.”

Thwaites announced it was moving from its Penny Street home of more than two centuries in 2011 and unveiled the move to Sykes Holt in June. The sale of the building went through last month and plans should be submitted to Ribble Valley Council next year.

When the brewery opens - not expected until the beginning of 2017 - all 200 workers, including 10 brewing staff, will transfer. Mr Bailey added: “That is the current plan, but obviously things can change.”