• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Thursday November 4 2021
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Wadworth unveils plans for new brewery

Devizes brewer Wadworth has unveiled the plans for a new brewery.

The company is planning to leave its landmark Northgate building – where beer has been brewed for 135 years – in favour of a modern complex at London Road, on a site previously occupied by online book vendor Selectabook as a distribution centre.

The firm says brewing at the new facility could commence by 2023 if planning permission is granted.

The existing brewery

It says the iconic red brick Victorian brewery is too large and unsuitable for the needs of modern brewing.

“The existing 1885 Wadworth Brewery is a Grade II Listed Building and much of Wadworth’s plant, equipment and main brewery building is coming to the end of its useful life,” said the firm.

“The beer market has changed and the current brewery is too big, inefficient and inflexible for Wadworth’s needs.

“Wadworth are also fully aware of their environmental responsibilities and the move to a new site gives them the opportunity to make significant changes to enhance their sustainability credentials.”

The brewer says it is “considering all options” for the existing brewery. “The existing listed historic brewery buildings are a hugely important part of Wadworth’s heritage and culture,” it says.

A public consultation exercise has been launched and runs until the end of November. A planning application is expected to be lodged in December with a planning decision expected in March 2023.

If planning permission is refused, the company says it will review its options, but adds: “Wadworth will continue to work with all parties including the local authority town planners, interest groups and all stakeholders to look at all the options before this will be known.

“Wadworth believes that it is right to remain a brewer in Devizes and it hopes the people of the town value its brewing legacy and contribution to the town, as well as understanding the need to change the location of the brewery.”

London-based planning and development consultancy Pegasus Group has been engaged as project manager, with Bristol-based Studio Lime appointed as architect.

To comment on the public consultation, visit https://www.selectabookpublicconsultation.co.uk