Squawk Brewing Co announces closure after 10 years

The brewery, which was founded in 2013, says it has been forced to close due to maintenance required on the site by the landlord.

Making the announcement on social media it said: “The end is nigh! We’re hanging up our boots and laying to rest our mash shovel.

“To cut a long story short our landlord needs to chuck us out for a few weeks for maintenance. Pretty important since it’s to make sure the Trans Pennine Express isn’t going to fall on our heads as it whistles past every day, exactly on time.

“Unfortunately, this means us ripping out the brewery and not making beer for a few months, which is not feasible funnily enough.”

“We’ve had a good ten year run, some amazing times, met some of the daftest people we could hope to... but now it’s time to call it a day.”

Squawk’s taproom Pelican, which is also located in Manchester, will continue to trade as usual.

Challenging times for brewers

The craft brewer Squawk is the latest in a long line that have shut their doors in recent months.

Earlier this week, Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co announced it would temporarily close its Liverpool Beerhouse site, citing inflation and a lack of government support.

“In this current economic climate we have to consider our business as a whole and review the success and affordability of all of our sites – we have now taken the unfortunate decision to temporarily close our Liverpool Beerhouse,” said Seven Bro7hers chief executive Keith McAvoy.

“With rising costs, inflation, and the lack of government support for the hospitality sector, for the time being remaining open isn’t sustainable.”

This week Leeds-based brewery North Brewing​​ was rescued from administration by Kirkstall Brewery.

North, which had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, had struggled with escalating costs, rising interest rates and the cost of living crisis.

Kirkstall Brewery’s founder Steve Holt has purchased North Brewing, which will continue to operate as an independent brewery, run by the existing management team.

At the end of last year Breal Capital purchased Warwick-shire based Purity Brewing Co​​ for an undisclosed amount in a deal that included its production facility in Warwickshire and taproom and restaurant in Birmingham.

It followed Breal’s purchase of north Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery, its shop and pubs, in May last year.