From little Acorn to mighty business – investor plans expansion for brewery
A Cheadle Hulme investment company has taken control of Yorkshire’s Acorn brewery with plans to grow the business.
Sonos Capital has acquired the Barnsley brewery, for an undisclosed sum.
Acorn was established 20 years ago and its cask ales quickly gained renown. Currently it has capacity to produce 170 brewers-barrels (278 hectolitres) a week, with an annual turnover of £1m.
Now, directors Dave and Christy Hughes have decided that new ownership is needed to take the business forward.
Over the years, Acorn has been celebrated for its traditional Barnsley Bitter (3.8%abv) and Old Moor Porter (4.4%abv) in its core range. Most recently Barnsley Bitter took overall champion at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) North Beer Competition.
With the sale, the employment of the seven-strong brewery team has been secured and a general manager will be recruited.
Founder Dave Hughes will continue in a consultancy role for the foreseeable future, while Christy will take retirement.
Dave Hughes said: “We have enjoyed 20 successful years since launching in Barnsley with just my late first wife Judy and our current brewer Steve Bunting. In recent years, with Christy heading marketing and sales, we have continued to drive the brewery forward, despite being badly hit by the COVID pandemic.
“Throughout lockdowns we continually brewed, pouring the beer away, to regularly refresh our unique original Barnsley Brewery yeast strain from the 1800s, so we recovered quickly.
“Now we feel we have taken the business as far as we can and we are handing it on in very good shape to Sonas. We wish to thank the team for their loyal support across the years. I look forward to continuing to work with them in my consultancy role.”
Acorn directly supplies outlets across the North of England and further afield through wholesalers and pub companies. The core of the business remains cask-conditioned ale but bottled and keg beers are also produced.
Barnsley Bitter and Old Moor Porter are exported to Italy in keg and bottle in summer, with some supplied in cask for the winter months.
Brendan Fitzpatrick, of Sonas, said: “Acorn has an outstanding reputation for their product quality and great service and we see the business as a perfect fit for our portfolio.
“We are dedicated to empowering companies through investment and strong marketing to realise their full potential.
“Dave and Christy Hughes are delighted to be working closely with the founder of Sonas Capital, a boutique investment business who just also happen to love beer, as they begin their transition away from the business.
“Dave will move to a more technical and creative role alongside the brewing team whilst the Sonas team will focus on the development and growth of the business in what are challenging times for the industry.”
Acorn was advised on the deal by Brian McCann and Angela Downey from Shareholder Strategies as well as Ryan Marr from Jolliffes Solicitors. Sonas Capital was advised by Guy Bartlett from Fidelis Advisory and Tom Sutcliffe from Excello Law.
