'Brewkery' back in business after sinkhole closure

With support from Aviva they have managed to raise more than £15,000 to transport a shipping container into a brewer

A "baking and brewing" company is back in business a year after the appearance of a sinkhole forced it to relocate.

The Equal Brewkery, in Norwich, has been offered a new home in a disused shipping container in Whitlingham Country Park on the edge of the city.

The community enterprise, which supports people getting back into work, had to close in May 2023 when the sinkhole appeared close to its former home in the Ipswich Road Community Hub.

Founder Bill Russell said: "After a year looking for a new home, we're looking forward to getting back to helping the people who really need us."

Mr Russell, an ex-headteacher, set up Equal Brewkery in 2017 after he suffered a stroke.

He said he wanted to show others that a physical or mental disability was not a barrier to "being part of society".

"The work we do supports people who are so often ignored or dismissed by society," he said.

"We are teaching skills and confidence, but we are also showing people that they are a valued part of our community."

Bill Russell set up the social enterprise in 2017 and since then their goods have been sold in a variety of places

The combined bakery and micro-brewery passes on "vitally important skills" including how a business works, preparation of stock, marketing, teamwork - and sharing and developing knowledge.

All money generated from the sales of the goods go back into the organisation and bread they make will be available from the flint barn in Whitlingham Country Park on a Monday and Tuesday.

With support from the insurer Aviva, the enterprise raised more than £15,000 to transport a shipping container into a brewery.

Carl Bilham, Aviva Change Integration Manager and volunteer, said: "Projects like this are hugely important to the local community, teaching valuable skills, getting people ready for the workplace and inspiring them towards a better tomorrow."