Cooper protects ancient trade with new venture
ONE of the UK’s only independent cooperages, the ancient trade of making traditional casks from wooden staves for beer, wine, cider and spirits, has been established in Yorkshire.
White Rose Cooperage at Thorp Arch Estate has been set up by master cooper Alastair Simms.
Simms, one of only four brewery coopers in the UK, took his apprenticeship at Theakstons Brewery, Masham before 18 years at brewers Wadworth & Co in Devizes.
He has launched his new business to pass on the skills of the trade which dates back to Roman times and is already busy making the traditional wooden barrels bound with metal hoops.
Barrels are also made for use as pub tables and half-barrel planters for gardens.
Yorkshire Bank has provided funding for set-up costs including an overdraft, working capital and cashflow for premises, tools and a website.
The company is aiming for a £100,000 turnover in its first year of trading.
Simms said: “Cooperage is an ancient trade but it has been in decline since the introduction of metal casks in the 1960s. When I started, there were 100 coopers in the UK whereas now there are only four and I am the only independent commercial cooper.
“Wooden casks add something to the stronger, darker beers which metal barrels cannot provide and there is a difference between beer matured in wooden casks and those which are bottle-conditioned. There is a growth in interest in cooperage due to the upsurge in micro-breweries and the demand for real ales.
“One of my customers is a pub in West Yorkshire and I make barrels for the licensee to give to the breweries to fill.
“I eventually want to take on an apprentice cooper so I can pass this on. I also plan for my wife, Julie, to join me in the business. Our long-term aim is to buy a few acres of land to build a cooperage and visitor centre so people can learn about this historic trade and watch coopers at work.”
Rick Warburton, head of Yorkshire Bank’s business & private banking centre in Harrogate, said: “The growth in micro-breweries and consumer interest in real ales means that Alastair has a sound business proposition and Yorkshire Bank is pleased to be supporting him in his new venture.”
