Hopes historic brewery will reopen this summer

A brewery which operated for nearly 200 years before its closure will start producing beer again.

Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, Cumbria, was closed in November 2022 by then-owners Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC), which blamed economic pressures.

The site has now been bought by a local couple, Kurt and Rebecca Canfield.

"If all goes well, the site should be producing beer again by the summer," the new firm's managing director Chris France said.

Ms Canfield, owner of local wine firm Wine and the Wood, said as "lifelong residents of west Cumbria", the pair "cherished" the brewery and its beer.

"We are delighted to bring Jennings back to the local area."

Mr Canfield, who is head of local engineering firm Delkia, said the building needed "critical repairs" and there were plans to enhance the site while respecting its listed building status.

"The heritage is incredible - 196 years of brewing," he said.

"It's synonymous with Cockermouth. It's part of the community and we've got our own vision so we can shape it.

"Decisions were made [by the previous owner]. Some were good and some were bad. From our perspective, we're looking to the future. It's bright.

"It's a sensitive site. It's a listed building so it has to be sensitively done."

He told BBC Radio Cumbria three jobs had been created as a result of the acquisition with plans to employ a further six people in roles such as head brewer.

The sale of the brewery included the rights to the Jennings brand and recipes, the firm said.

In November 2024, CMBC announced it would stop selling Jennings Cumberland Ale, the production of which it had moved to Staffordshire, in cask or keg format.

Bottled versions of Jennings beer will continue to be sold by Carlsberg until March, after which the rights to the brand will be transferred to Mr and Ms Canfield.

Mr France said in addition to selling the beer in bottles, the firm would sell the beer to pubs in casks.

Established as a family concern in 1828, the original Jennings brewery was located in the village of Lorton.

In 1874, having outgrown the site, the brewery moved to the banks of the river Cocker in Cockermouth.

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