Popular brewery and its four pubs enter administration
A working brewery and a major tourist attraction in York, along with the four pubs it operates, have been placed in administration after experiencing continued cashflow issues.
Steven Muncaster and Sarah Bell of Duff & Phelps have been appointed Joint Administrators of York Brewery.
Established in 1996 within the historic city walls, York Brewery is both a working brewery and a major tourist attraction providing customers locally and around the country with the first traditionally brewed ales from within the walls of York for over 40 years. In addition, it operates four public houses; The Last Drop Inn, Mr Foley’s Tap House, The Three Legged Mare, The Yorkshire Terrier and a brewery tap room.
The brewery and associated pubs continue to trade while Duff & Phelps seeks a buyer and there has been no redundancies made to the workforce of 49 employees.
Steven Muncaster, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps, said: “While York Brewery is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, the company has unfortunately continued to face cashflow pressures as a result of difficult conditions which are affecting the leisure industry and pubs across the country.
“We are seeking a buyer and we encourage any interested parties to come forward as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, it has also been annoucned that Duff & Phelps have been appointed Joint Administrators of Mitchell’s of Lancaster (Brewers). Oerating 10 public houses in Lancashire and with a head office in Lancaster, Mitchell’s of Lancaster was originally founded in 1871 by William Mitchell after he signed the lease on his very first pub and brewhouse – The Black Horse Inn. The company has remained family owned over the past 140 years and has retained family traditions and core values for great service and quality cask ales.
Its Lancashire properties include pubs; Fibbers, The Duke of Rothesay, The Old Hall, The Tithe Barn, The Water Witch, The William Mitchell, The Bobbin, The Station Hotel, restaurant and bar; 1725, and pub and hotel; The Royal Hotel, which when combined employ circa 120 people.
Upon appointment, 14 staff were made redundant at the head office. All establishments are continuing to trade while Duff & Phelps seeks a buyer.
Steven Muncaster, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps, added: “The UK pub sector has suffered sustained adversity over the last decade, with the latest ONS statistics showing that nearly a quarter of pubs have closed since 2008, with the majority of these closures being small pubs.
“This troubled landscape coupled with rising business rates, increased minimum wage, and the continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit has created difficult conditions for pubs across the UK. As such, the owners were left with no alternative but to put the company into administration.
“We are seeking a buyer for the group and we encourage any interested parties to come forward as soon as possible.”
