54 BREWING & BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES BUSINESS As a recent report from the BBC reveals that the number of pubs in the UK is declining, the good news is that the number of breweries is actually on the rise. Specialising in brewery insurance with its unique product Masterbrew since 2007, Nottingham- based insurance brokers Russell Scanlan is thrilled to see the sector thriving. Marketing Director at Russell Scanlan Mike Dickinson takes a look at an industry on the rise. “Recent news from the BBC which reports that the number of pubs in the UK has been in steady decline since 2000 – falling by 17% or 10,500 pubs – isn’t uplifting, as the well- loved British institution continues to fall out of favour with punters. “However, what is encouraging is the increase in the number of breweries operating in the UK. There are now 2,000 across the country, the highest number on record since the 1930s, rising by 64% in the last four years, according to Camra. “As specialists in the craft beer and gin insurance sector, these statistics back up a trend which we’ve been monitoring for several years now. That is, that people are getting on board the Micropub trend with gusto and as a result we’re seeing new businesses pop up on a monthly basis. “Back in 2007 we were the first insurance provider to offer coverage for the brewery and craft beer industry with our new product, Masterbrew. Our extensive knowledge of the industry ensures that our dedicated Masterbrew team provides businesses with a bespoke policy to fit their needs and for the last decade we have been at the forefront of creating new insurance products to recognise the ever-changing advancements and technology within the brewery industry. “With the UK’s thirst for specialist gins and ales seemingly unsated – for example, gin sales topped £348m in the UK in 2016, almost three times the total in 2009 – we predict the ‘micro’ trend is here to stay. Most towns now boast at least one micropub (be it a disused unit refreshed into a haven of pale ales, or a derelict corner shop turned into a bespoke tavern) and we doubt the public’s passion for supporting these local businesses will diminish given the quality and variety on offer. “Masterbrew is on hand to provide peace of mind and security to both established brewers and start-ups, offering cover for stock, IT, property and revenue and events and staff. In addition, optional cover is also available for inspection of plants and equipment, brewery taps and associated businesses, personal accident cover for staff, internal theft and fraud, cybercrime vehicles and loss of licence. “To speak to one of our passionate Masterbrew team about how we could support your business, call us on 0115 947 0032 or email masterbrew@russellscanlan.com Barrels of success for breweries as boom in number of micropubs continues News BUSINESS SERVICES Work has commenced on Grimsby’s new brewery, set to transform the St Barnabas Church on King Edward Street which was acquired last year by Axholme Brewing Company. Local firms are now in situ preparing the site for the arrival of new brewing equipment which has been ordered by the brewers and is being fabricated by Willis European for delivery in July this year. Working with E- Factor, the brewers secured a grant of £54,000 from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s £8m ‘Growing The Humber’ programme which is supported by the Government’s Local Growth Fund. The scheme offers business investment grants to help grow SME businesses in the Humber region. Alongside asset finance and investment from one of the business owners, the funding brings the project’s total spend to £200,000. Director Will Douglas says, “It’s awesome to see works begin on site and to see the first pictures of the new tanks being specially made for this building. We’re investing substantially in much bigger brewing kit than we have in Crowle because the demand for our beer has outstripped our ability to supply customers. The Humber LEP grant funding was vital because it unlocked bigger and more efficient equipment which makes us more future-proofed, and more environmentally sustainable. We should be up and running in August. With our increased production capacity, we can build on the success of last year, create jobs in the area and lay the foundations for a bumper 2018/19.” Axholme Director Shahram Shadan, who is project managing the brewery renovations in preparation for the arrival of the new equipment, explains “The inside and outside of the building will be unrecognisable when it opens later this year. We have gone back to the shell and will be giving it new specialist flooring, wall coverings, windows and ceilings.” Will Douglas praised local business hub E- Factor who supported the brewery’s grant application “We need to say a big thank you to E- Factor at Enterprise Village in Grimsby. The brewery had offices in one of the units there for much of 2017 and it was the perfect incubator for us until we found the right premises for the new brewery. We had access to their excellent support staff including Steve Parker, our Business Growth Hub Adviser. Steve has been instrumental in helping us take the grant application forward and achieve approval.” E- Factor’s Steve Parker said, “We’re pleased to have been able to help Axholme Brewing Co through the provision of additional investment. It is a great example of a business that has evolved with the support of E- Factor and will bring jobs to the area which should help boost the economy and future of this region.” www.russellscanlan.com For more information visit: www.e-factor.co.uk For more information visit: Grant funding helps to bring Axholme’s new brewery to fruition 54_Layout 1 16/05/2018 10:41 Page 1