Joule's Brewery to open more pubs following £1m investment

By Emma Eversham

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Beer

Joule's managing director Steve Nuttall celebrates the company's expansion plans with Daran Harding of the Co-operative Bank
Joule's managing director Steve Nuttall celebrates the company's expansion plans with Daran Harding of the Co-operative Bank
Joule's Brewery is planning to open a further six pubs this year and expand the brewery it re-opened in 2010 after receiving a funding boost of £1m from the Co-operative Bank. 

The money, received two months ago, has already helped the Shropshire-based brewer purchase three new pubs and will be invested in the further expansion as well as in expanding storage facilities at its brewery in Market Drayton.

Joule's Brewery managing director Steve Nuttall, who was responsible for re-establishing the brewery in 2010 following its closure in 1974, said: ”Whilst many pub chains have been hit hard by the downturn, Joule’s bucks the trend and shows how we are giving the public what they want. It’s all about the simple things in life – really good beer, good food and really stripped back and uncomplicated interiors in lovely historical buildings."

Nuttall said the company was currently on the look-out for six more pubs in and around Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and Wales - or within a 45-minute radius of the brewery - to turn into its famous Tap Houses. 

"It’s a case of finding the right sites. There are some good deals out there at the moment, but for us it’s about finding the right sites for what we want," he added. 

Historic brewery

Joule's beer was first brewed in Staffordshire in 1780 when Francis Joules established a brewery there. The brand was discontinued after being bought out in 1974, but resurrected in 2010 when Nuttall secured funding from the Co-operative to build a new brewery in Market Drayton. 

After re-opening, the brewery, which currently operates 17 pubs, started producing Joule's Pale Ale again, which had stopped with the brewery's closure in 1974. The company has since gone on to create two new brands, Joule's Blonde, a 3.8 per cent abv light beer and Slumbering Monk, a 4.5 per cent malt beer. 

Daran Harding, business development manager, at The Co-operative Bank’s North Midlands Corporate Banking Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be providing further support to Joule’s Brewery which continues to go from strength to strength. This is another illustration of our approach to developing strong long term relationships with customers that are dedicated to supporting their future success.”

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