Carlsberg Britvic has announced plans to close the historic Marston’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent, putting around 310 jobs at risk. The closure is expected to take place in the summer of 2027, marking the end of nearly 200 years of brewing at the Staffordshire site.

Marston’s Brewery was established in 1834 by John Marston and relocated to its current Shobnall Road location in 1898. Burton upon Trent is renowned for its brewing heritage, partly due to the mineral-rich water that contributed to the distinctive taste of its pale ales. At its peak, the town was home to more than 30 breweries, and Marston’s became known for producing popular ales such as Pedigree and Bass.

The decision to close the site and its main logistics operation was attributed to a significant decline in sales of traditional British cask ales, with Carlsberg Britvic noting that volumes have more than halved in less than a decade. Paul Davies, chief executive of Carlsberg Britvic, said the company plans to focus on beverages within its portfolio that show growing demand to create greater long-term value. While certain ales including Hobgoblin, McEwan’s, and Brooklyn will continue to be produced, some other cask and regional ale brands are expected to be sold, although specific details were not disclosed.

The brewery's closure follows a broader trend impacting the British brewing industry. Following a peak in the craft beer movement about a decade ago, the number of breweries had risen above 2,000 for the first time since the 1930s. However, this number has since declined to approximately 1,550, influenced by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased costs, and shifting consumer preferences.

The announcement has drawn criticism from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Ash Corbett-Collins, CAMRA’s national chairman and a Burton native, described the closure as an “absolute disgrace” and expressed disappointment in Carlsberg Britvic’s handling of the brewery’s historical significance. He called for independent operators to consider rescuing the site, emphasizing the importance of Marston’s to both the local community and British brewing heritage. Marston’s pub operations, however, are not affected by the closure plans.

The planned shutdown of Marston’s is part of a series of closures in the sector, including the recent closure of the 150-year-old Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton, which was also under Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company ownership. The brewing group was formed in 2020 when Marston’s and Carlsberg merged their brewing and distribution operations, with Carlsberg acquiring full ownership four years later.