Pub brews up new venture after landing Covid grant

A pub in Mountsorrel is in the process of setting up a microbrewery after receiving a Covid-19 business grant from Charnwood Borough Council.

The Swan Inn in Mountsorrel plans to open the microbrewery later this year after applying to the Council for the Business Development and Diversification Fund.

The fund provided a grant of up to £5,000 to help eligible businesses diversify their business model or enable safer working practices.

The village pub used the grant towards the cost of renovating a small space at the pub and fitting it out with beer brewing equipment, enabling the pub to produce its own beer.

Danny Harwood, the landlord at The Swan Inn said: “The past two years have been incredibly difficult for our business and the hospitality sector.

“Alongside having to close the pub for a period of time, the supply of beer was another challenge we faced when we reopened and in particular cask ale proved really difficult to get hold of.

“By creating a microbrewery on site, it means we can deal with beer production in house, decide on how much we need and also add another dimension to the business.

“I can’t thank the Council enough for providing clear information and distributing the business grants as quickly as possible during the pandemic.”

Since April 2020, the Council has administered a total of £58m in Government funding to over a thousand local businesses across the borough.

Councillor Shona Rattray, the Council’s lead member for business support said: “This is a great example of the positive impact that Covid-19 business grants have had on local businesses.

“The Swan Inn is a popular pub in Mountsorrel and it’s great to see they have used one of the grants they have been eligible for to expand their business by developing

“We know how tough it has been for local businesses and I’m so pleased we’ve been able to support so many different businesses through Government funding.

“We worked incredibly hard to distribute the funding to eligible firms as quickly and securely as possible and we’re committed to continuing working with businesses to help them recover from the impact of the pandemic.”