PUNTERS have been left devastated as an award-winning brewery announced its closure after just seven years in business.
Cellar Head Brewing Company and Tap Room has slipped into administration after attempts to find a buyer for the business failed.
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The “heartbreaking” news was announced by the company’s directors Julia and Christopher McKenzie on the brewery’s Facebook page.
They said the increase in the cost of production and the current financial climate made the business “unviable”.
They wrote: “Today was a day that I thought and hoped I would never have to face – I am utterly heartbroken to see the doors to Cellar Head brewery and tap room close today after seven years.”
“I would like to raise a glass (of Cellar Head obviously) to thank each and every wonderful landlord and landlady the length and breadth of Britain who bought our beer and shared it with your customers.”
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They signed off the post by urging people to support small and independent breweries.
“Keep supporting small independent breweries as best you can, it’s tough out there, and raise a toast to the memories,” they added.
The business has now stopped trading with immediate effects, Kent Online reports.
The business was awarded Bronze in the Regional (Southeast and London) Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) Can/Bottle Beer Awards in 2022 – and was awarded Silver for the SIBA Keg Beer Awards in 2023.
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Local customers and other pubgoers have been left devastated after the management team announced the sad news of closure on Facebook.
One such person shared: “Absolutely gutted at this news – you worked so hard to create not just amazing beer but a wonderful, strong, vibrant and instantly recognisable brand.”
Another wrote: “Devastated for you all – so much hard work and passion to build an award-winning brand and brewer of superb beer – it’s so sad all of your efforts have come to an end.”
Why are British pubs closing down?
By Noa Hoffman
MORE than 500 British boozers closed their doors for the final time last year.
Crippling taxes and inflation meant the total number of closures since 2017 hit 3,043.
And last year alone, 6,000 people lost their job as a result of boozers having to shut down.
Pub chiefs warned that more are on the way with landlords struggling to operate on “incredibly narrow margins”.
They blame the rising price of raw materials, energy bills and a heavy tax burden for their plight.
Thanks to The Sun’s Save Our Sups campaign, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in last November’s Autumn Statement that alcohol duty would remain frozen until August this year.
What else is happening on the high street?
The high street has been hit hard in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn their attention to online retail.
High energy and wage costs and business rates have further piled pressure on businesses, forcing many to close.
Several major brands have crashed into administration since the start of 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.
In recent months, The Body Shop and Ted Baker have both fallen into administration too, seeing dozens of stores closed already.
Other retailers have been closing shops in a bid to reduce their physical presence across the UK.
Last June, Boots said it would be shutting 300 of its 2,200 stores in areas where it already operates one.
Superdry started closing eight of its 104 UK branches last July as part of a £35million cost-cutting project.
But, as is the case with M&S, it’s not all bad news as a number of chains are opening branches too.
B&M has opened 17 branches already this year, while Aldi has its eyes set on opening hundreds more branches in the coming years.
DIY chain Screwfix is also set to open dozens of branches as its owner Kingfisher looks to expand its nationwide presence.
Major supermarket chain Asda has also been opening dozens of branches across the UK.
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WHSmith also recently announced plans to open more stores in rail stations, airports and hospitals.
