Local brewery to expand after financial boost, Weston
Stonehouse Brewery has received a major boost after being awarded £32,000 through Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.
The brewery is a family business which was set up in 2007 to produce quality real ales for the local market. Since then it has become an established local producer, supplying its beers to over a 120 regular outlets (such as freehouses, farm shops and independent supermarkets) in Shropshire and the Marches from its base in Weston.
Currently the brewery is an old agricultural building which is in a state of poor repair. Therefore, the money will be used to construct a new, purpose made building and access. This will include a customer service area. Most importantly, the building is higher than the existing one which means that the company will be able to expand their brewing capacity over the coming years without having to move.
Joyce Barrow, Shropshire Councillor for St Oswald, said:
“Stonehouse Brewery has created many local jobs since it started trading just four years ago. I hope this money will enable the company to continue to succeed and grow its business and I wish them every success in the future.”
Shane Parr of Stonehouse Brewery, added:
“We want to expand and improve the brewery while creating jobs in Oswestry. The brewery’s main aim is to supply and support its local pubs, but these improvements will allow the brewery to grow while encompassing a tourism element to the business.
“There is currently huge general interest in real ale. More and more people are turning away from mass-produced brands and seeking out local, well-made beer. We believe this growth will continue for the foreseeable future.”