Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans recently visited the new £8m investment from Thwaites that is due to open in Mellor Brook in the near future.

The company is moving its brewery, stables and head office to the foot of the Ribble Valley after 211 years of brewing in Blackburn.

For the first time, all head office staff, along with the Thwaites brewers and horsemen will work from the same site, which is being purpose-built by local building company Barnfield Construction, who are based in Nelson.

The finishing touches are being put to the plans for moving the staff, and with building work progressing at a pace, Thwaites Chief Executive Officer, Rick Bailey was delighted to give Nigel Evans, a guided tour.

Rick Bailey said: “We are really pleased with this amazing development – the site has been transformed and looks fabulous – our horses are chomping at the bit to get into their new home, to say nothing of our team and brewers.

“The buildings are now all complete, so we are fitting out the interior and it’s all taking shape.

“Nigel Evans has always been very supportive of this investment we are making in the Ribble Valley and was keen to see how the development was progressing.”

Although Thwaites was planning on moving in during August, plans for the brewery have now been bought forward, due to damage caused recently to the Blackburn site by travellers.

Nigel Evans said: “I am delighted that Thwaites has chosen the Ribble Valley for this new brewery and office complex, which will support jobs locally. There are over 100 jobs based from the site and this it is great news that we have been able to attract them into the area.”

Tim Webber, Managing Director of Barnfield Construction said: “Thwaites’ new brewery site has been a great project for us and we are delighted to be working once more with the Ribble Valley council and planners to help to deliver it.

“Thwaites asked us early on in the project to deliver a really high quality scheme and we are very pleased to have delivered on all levels. It has been very satisfying that we have been able to deliver this scheme with local contractors, keeping much of the money spent on this investment in the local area.”

Recent Posts