Banks’s Brewery set to close in its 150th year

Banks's Brewery has been operating in Wolverhampton since 1875

A city’s brewery looks set to close after 150 years in operation, putting 97 jobs at risk.

Plans have been announced to close Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton during autumn next year as part of a restructuring of the wider Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC).

The firm said it followed a decision from Mahou San Miguel to not renew its partnership from 2025 as well as the decline of cask ale volumes over several years.

CMBC said it would support the 97 people employed at the site and would work with trade union representatives through the consultation process.

Banks’s Brewery opened in 1875 and its chimney has long been a recognisable feature of Wolverhampton’s skyline.

Paul Davies, CEO of CMBC, said it had been an “extremely difficult” decision but it was necessary to restructure the businesses to maintain its competitiveness in a “challenging UK beer market”.

"The team at Banks’s has been unwavering in its dedication and commitment to the brewery. We will ensure that we support all our people closely throughout this extremely challenging period,” he said.

Mr Davies described the proposed closure as “regrettable” but said the company would continue to invest in its breweries in Northampton and Burton.

'Destruction of our brewing heritage'

Mark Hewitt, chairman of the Wolverhampton branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), said it had been on the cards since Marston's sold its stake in CMBC to Carlsberg earlier this year.

He said the closure would mean people across the city would no longer be able to drink a "locally brewed beer in their local pub".

"We are upset and angry about the proposed closure of Banks's and the destruction of our brewing heritage," he added.