Takeover deal for Highgate Brewery

The future of an historic Black Country brewery has been secured in a takeover deal which will see beer production re-starting next month.

Empire Star, landlord of the Grade II listed Highgate Brewery in Walsall, has confirmed terms with a local consortium and contracts are being drawn up to finalise the deal which also features plans for a museum.

The identity of the new operator of the brewery, which shut in June with the loss of 22 jobs, has not yet been revealed.

Spokesman for Empire Star Ian Robinson said: "At this stage the consortium does not want to reveal its identity.

"However we can reveal it has already applied for a licence to brew on the site, and its aim is to establish a working craft micro-brewery and museum."

Empire Star Ltd is not only the owner of the 112-year-old Sandymount Road site, but also of the famous Highgate and Davenports beer brands.

Mr Robinson said: "We are hopeful that the new occupants will make a complete success of the business.

"We are showing our own commitment to them by giving them the licence to brew the Highgate beer brands."

Current tenants occupying offices at the site are in the process of leaving and it is expected that brewing will re-commence next month.

A campaign was launched to save the brewery. Friends of Highgate Brewery last night broke the good news at its a public meeting held at St Matthew's Centre, in St Matthew's Close.

Friends' chairman Steve Orford told the meeting: "On the face of it this sounds excellent and is all that we could wish for.

"I think we could celebrate, but I would want to wait until the ink's dry and there is beer coming out of the brewery's gates again."