E-Malt.com News article: United Kingdom: The future of Cumbrian brewer Jennings is going finally to be decided on May 19

With just two days to go until the future of Cumbrian brewer Jennings is finally decided, campaigners fighting to block the takeover have stepped up their efforts again. Volunteers took to the streets of West Cumbria at the weekend in a final bid to keep the Cockermouth-based brewery as it is, News Star posted on May 18.

“Sign here to save your beer” were the chants of Whitehaven town crier Rob Romano, who joined the campaign on Saturday, May 14. As a result, local people were actually queuing up to add their names to the petition – which calls on shareholders not to sell out. More than 1,500 signatures were collected in Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Keswick.

Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries will find out on Thursday, May 19, whether they have enough shares to takeover the traditional business. But members of the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) have insisted it is not a done deal – that every shareholder can make a difference. In the past few weeks, about 4,000 Cumbrians have added their weight to the “Don’t Throw Jennings To The Wolves” campaign.

Cockermouth-based Camra member Bob Johnston says their is a strong local feeling against the takeover: “We have had some shareholders signing the petition – they told us they will not be parting with their shares.”

People are worried that a takeover will eventually see the closure of Cumbria’s only remaining major brewer. Camra believes this will not only spell job losses, but the loss of a vital piece of West Cumbria’s heritage.

Campaigners say the Jennings brand is a major tourist attraction and the entire area would feel the knock-on effects if it was lost.


18 May, 2005