Leeds-based specialist brewpub is primed for growth and job creation
A Leeds-based craft brewpub which specialises in fresh, modern interpretations of classic beer styles is targeting significant growth after securing a £40,000 RLS-backed investment by BEF.
Amity Brew Co was established in April 2020 by Russ Clarke, Rich Degnan, Tom Matthews and Verity Clarke with help from BEF who provided £75,000 in Start Up Loans.
The initial BEF investment enabled the business to open the 25,000 sq ft brewery and taproom at Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley in December 2020.
Launching the business during the post-pandemic period was a daunting challenge but the brewery quickly gained an excellent reputation thanks to the beers produced by Head Brewer Greig Swanson who created a core range of beers including a “helles” lager, an extra special bitter and an American pale ale, all named after Farsley landmarks.
Partnering great beers with a comfortable and modern mill setting, the team quickly built a strong local fanbase with the beer sales supplemented by online interest. Today, 90% of their beers are sold directly to either in-house or online customers.
The brewery also was chosen as part of the Yorkshire Box with beer subscription box brand Beer52 and is stocked in beer specialist shops Rainville and Premier Hop.
The business which currently employs 8 staff will use the £40,000 investment to purchase canning and labelling equipment plus working capital.
“Purchasing canning and labelling equipment will allow us to get fresh beer into the hands of our customers faster and more efficiently plus expand into trade. It will cut costs and environmental impact and will also allow us to create jobs within the brewery in order to take more on under our own roof. As a hospitality business, these past two years have been challenging but what we have created in a short time is a business at the very heart of its community, we’re really looking forward to the next stage of growth.”
Russ Clarke, owner of Amity Brew Co
“Like many businesses within the hospitality sector, Amity Brew Co have experienced a challenging time. The founder’s passion, experience and commitment has been the catalyst for strong growth which will continue with the additional investment from BEF. We are pleased to support the continued success of Amity Brew Co.”
Simon Truby, Investment Manager at BEF
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