New investment helps Abbeydale Brewery to roll out more barrels

Abbeydale Brewery in Sheffield aims to increase its production capacity from 140 barrels a week to 180 using a £200,000 business loan from Finance Yorkshire.

The funding will enable Abbeydale to buy new fermenters and replace key equipment to increase capacity in the brewing of beers. Abbeydale is also replacing the floor in its brewhouse on Aizlewood Road and overhauling its telephone and IT systems. Abbeydale employs 17 staff, has an annual turnover of over £2m and brews up to 10 regular and special beers every week.

Sue Morton, a director of Abbeydale alongside her husband Patrick, said: “This investment from Finance Yorkshire in our infrastructure is vital to the running of our business and gives us the potential to expand our production capability up to 180 barrels a week.

“Thanks to the funding we’ve also been able to take on two more members of staff who will be trained up and ready for what we know will be a very busy Christmas period.”

The business loan will also enable Abbeydale to invest in new product development, which includes producing more of its craft beer in keg rather than cask.

“The advantages of this are that you can keep beers for longer and you get a more consistent product – it is a growing market,” said Mrs Morton. Abbeydale was supported in its business planning and financial forecasts by chartered accountancy firm UHY Wingfield Slater, Sheffield.