Carlsberg plans to shut historic Marston's Brewery in Burton with 310 jobs at risk

Carlsberg Britvic is planning to close the historic Marston's Brewery in Burton-upon-Trent, putting about 310 jobs at risk.

The multinational brewer intends to shut down both the brewery and its primary logistics depot on the Shobnall Road site by the summer of 2027. It blamed the decision on a severe, long-term decline in the British cask ale market, stating that volumes have more than halved in less than a decade.

Paul Davies, chief executive of Carlsberg Britvic, described the proposal as a "shock" but said the business had to focus its portfolio where customer demand is actually growing. He added that the decision was not a reflection on the local workforce and that the brewery would continue to operate normally during the consultation period.

What happens to the beers?

The closure leaves the future of some of Britain's best-known beers up in the air. Carlsberg plans to keep "priority brands" like Hobgoblin, McEwan's, and Brooklyn, but it has not yet said where they will be brewed. Smaller regional cask brands are expected to be sold to local or specialist brewers.

Local leaders say the move means famous names like Marston's Pedigree and Bass Ale will no longer be brewed in Burton.

The announcement marks a major blow to Burton-upon-Trent's identity. The Staffordshire town has been a hub of British brewing since the 11th century, when monks first made beer using the local water—renowned for its high gypsum content, which gives the town's ales their distinctive character. John Marston founded his brewery in 1834, moving it to the current Shobnall Road site in 1898.

Reaction to the closure

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) reacted with fury to the news. Ash Corbett-Collins, the group's chairman, called the decision "an absolute disgrace" and "the latest in a string of actions that show how little they care about our brewing heritage."

He agreed with Carlsberg on only one point: that it is time for independent brewers to step in as "custodians" of the historic cask brands.

Philip White, the leader of the opposition at Staffordshire County Council, called for efforts to try and reverse the decision. "We must do everything we can to try and reverse this decision and look after all of the workers and their families," he said.

The corporate split

The brewery's closure is the latest chapter in a rapid restructuring of the brand. In 2020, Carlsberg and Marston's PLC merged their brewing operations to create the Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company.

In 2024, Carlsberg bought out Marston's remaining 40% stake to take full ownership. That deal separated the brewing business from Marston's PLC's pub estate.

Marston's PLC, which runs more than 1,300 pubs across the UK from its headquarters in Wolverhampton, is now an entirely separate company and is completely unaffected by the brewery closure.