Lancashire brewer Thwaites has secured a site at Sykes Holt in the Ribble Valley for its new head office and brewery.
The site, which will house 200 employees, is to be purchased in six months. Thwaites will attempt to secure planning permission for a new HQ scheme with a possible construction start date in 2015.
The firm has failed to agree a deal with Sainsbury’s to take on its current site in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Chief executive Richard Bailey said: “It has always been hugely important to us that we stay close to Blackburn, which has been our home for over 200 years, and we have been very aware that we would like to safeguard jobs in the area, so I am very pleased that we have been able to find a site that is only a few miles away, where we will continue to employ over 200 people in our head office across our brewery, pubs, inns and hotels.
“We do not have any immediate plans for our existing site, as we have not been able to deliver on our plan to bring Sainsbury’s into Blackburn.
“However, we continue to believe that a redevelopment of the site presents an exciting opportunity for Blackburn town centre, which is already being regenerated with investments in the shopping centre, the Cathedral Quarter and the new bus station. As a result we will be looking to find partners who can help us to realise that opportunity.”
chris.berkin@estatesgazette.com
