Bakery and brewery to reopen after forced move

Equal Brewkery provides training for people with learning disabilities and teaches skills to help individuals go on to work

A community microbrewery and bakery is set to reopen its doors after it was forced to move from its previous premises by a sinkhole.

Equal Brewkery, a not-for-profit enterprise, relocated from the Ipswich Road Community Hub in Norwich after the sinkhole opened up in May 2023.

The business, which provides training for people with learning disabilities and teaches skills to help individuals go on to work, moved to a disused shipping container, which has recently been renovated.

"The goodwill of a lot of people has made this happen," said founder Bill Russell.

Bill Russell started the non-profit enterprise in 2017

The business received support from insurer Aviva, which helped raise funds to transform the space into its new permanent home.

Other local volunteers and businesses also contributed, with contractors providing materials and helping with construction, often for free or at a reduced cost.

Mr Russell said he was "immensely grateful" for their hard work.

Its doors are set to open on Friday to thank those who helped, and workshops are due to recommence on 9 January.

"I am constantly impressed by the goodness of people; the way Norfolk has responded has been superb," said Mr Russell.

Equal Brewkery was able to transform a shipping container into a bakery and microbrewery by crowdfunding, with help from Aviva

The workspace, 40ft (12m) long and 8ft (2.5m) wide, is equipped for four individuals to work at a time.

Trained volunteers help those with learning disabilities to not only bake and brew, but to develop an understanding of business, marketing and teamwork to help provide the experience necessary to gain employment.

Equal Brewkery's beer is available in 15 stores across Norfolk and Suffolk, with any profits reinvested into the organisation.

It encouraged members of the public to get in contact if they felt the training offered would benefit themselves or a family member.