Carlsberg Britvic to Close Marston's Brewery in Burton-upon-Trent
The closure of the historic Staffordshire site is attributed to declining cask ale volumes in the UK, impacting approximately 300 jobs.
Carlsberg Britvic has announced plans to close the Marston's brewery in Burton-upon-Trent next summer, a move that will affect around 300 employees and marks a significant development for the British beer industry. The company cited a substantial decline in UK drinkers' preference for traditional cask ales, a product brewed at the historic Staffordshire site for centuries.
Paul Davies, Chief Executive of Carlsberg Britvic, stated that the "stark reality" is a decrease in UK beer volumes, prompting the business to refocus on areas of growing customer demand. He emphasized that the proposal is not a reflection on the brewery's staff and that efforts will be made to support them through this period of uncertainty.
"While we remain proud of the role we have played in supporting and investing in the ale category overall, the stark reality is that UK cask ale volumes have more than halved in less than a decade, and this trend looks set to continue across the UK," Davies said. He acknowledged the iconic status of Marston's Brewery and the expertise of its teams.
Carlsberg Britvic intends to retain its major ale brands, including Hobgoblin, McEwan’s, and Brooklyn, while exploring the sale of smaller brands. The company, formed through a £3.3 billion deal between Danish giant Carlsberg and mixer maker Britvic in 2024, also acquired Marston's 40 percent stake in the Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company for £206 million.