Carlsberg reveals plans to close Marston’s Brewery, risking 310 jobs

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Carlsberg Britvic has proposed the closure of its Marston’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent, UK, in summer 2027, citing declining demand within the cask ale category.

In a statement yesterday (8 October 2026), Carlsberg said it plans to shut down the brewery and its primary logistics operations next summer, driven by ‘a need to create greater long-term value’. The proposed closure puts approximately 310 jobs at risk.

The company confirmed that certain priority ale brands, including Hobgoblin, McEwan’s and Brooklyn, will remain within its multi-beverage portfolio, but that it will seek new homes for other cask and regional ale brands.

Carlsberg bought Marston’s brewing business two years ago – prior to its acquisition of Britvic last year – following an earlier joint venture with Marston’s in 2020.

The Burton site closure follows the earlier closure of Carlsberg Marston’s Ringwood and Wychwood sites in 2023, and its Jennings Brewery in 2022, which has since reopened under independent family ownership.

Paul Davies, CEO at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “I am very aware that this news will have come as a shock for colleagues, as I recognise the impact of this proposal is significant”.

“While we remain proud of the role we have played in supporting and investing in the ale category overall, the stark reality is that UK cask ale volumes have more than halved in less than a decade, and this trend looks set to continue across the UK.”

Davies said the company will do “everything we can” to ensure the smaller ale brands “thrive under more specialist or local ownership in the future,” adding that “every effort” will be made to support the site’s workforce through the process.

The brewery and logistics operation are expected to continue to operate during the transition period, he confirmed, with further decisions to be taken during consultations in the coming months.

UK non-profit consumer group, The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), has reacted with anger to the news. It has renewed calls for the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate how global interests have consolidated the UK beer market, stating that independent brewers are ‘locked out’ of the market by global conglomerates despite providing ‘genuine innovation and choice to drinkers’.

Ash Corbett-Collins, chairman of CAMRA, called the announcement an “absolute disgrace,” but welcomed Carlsberg’s confirmation that it will seek suitable new ownership for smaller and regional cask beers.

“The time is right to think about alternative, independent brewers who are willing to become custodians of Carlsberg’s cask brands and will finally do the beers the justice they deserve,” Corbett-Collins commented.

“Like the rescue of Jennings in Cumbria by passionate and experienced brewers, I hope the Burton brewery can be saved. I’ve got fond memories visiting the brewery in better days, and maybe I’ll be able to go again if it’s handed over to independent owners.”