The Campaign for Real Ale slams Hardys & Hansons brewery closure

Consumer group The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has condemned Greene King's decision to close the Hardys & Hansons (H&H) Kimberley brewery.

Camra said that despite thousands of drinkers signing its petition to keep the 174-year old Victorian brewery open, Greene King, which took ownership of H&H in September, plans to close the Nottingham site at the end of the year.

Mike Benner, Camra's chief executive, said: "Britain's brewing heritage is being slowly eroded by a seemingly endless string of closures through consolidation."

Rooney Anand, chief executive of Greene King, said in a statement earlier today that a review of H&H had shown no economic case to continue brewing at Kimberley, and operations would be moved to its own Bury St Edmunds base.

H&H beers include Dark Mild, Cool and Olde Trip. As a result of the closure Greene King said 80 jobs were at risk.

Greene King will continue a cellar service and distribution operations from Kimberley.

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By Chris Druce

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