Grimsby’s Docks Beers is planning on increasing its brewing capacity after securing significant investment from two prominent town accountants.
David Everatt and Kevin Hopper have joined the board as part owners of the business, which is closing in on five years of operations from The Church at King Edward Street. They will sit alongside three of the remaining original founders, Mike Richards, Will Douglas and Shahram Shadan.
The King Edward Street brewery and taphouse, together with the subsequently added entertainment and events venue, has rebounded strongly since Covid, with the team reporting a fast-growing audience for both its beers and hosted performances. Now with the two senior Forrester Boyd partners involved the team is planning for more growth.
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Mr Douglas said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment from two of Grimsby’s foremost accountants. It is brilliant news for our business. Their funding will enable us to go for the next phase of growth.
“With a sharp increase in the number of events in Docks Academy and external mobile bar events, plus a big upswing in the amount of beer sold to trade and wholesale, we are needing more beer now than ever before. This investment unlocks the path to additional beer production without which we will be unable to achieve our goal of becoming one of the UK’s most important craft beer breweries and arts venues.”
Collaborations with Size? and Adidas have propelled the latter on. It has welcomed acts such as The Sherlocks, Wheatus, We Are Scientists, Tom Meighan, Gary Delaney and Russell Kane – with comedian Lloyd Griffith also selling out several home town shows.
The deal sees no change to the Docks Beers and Docks Academy operations, where a 34-strong team now work.
(Image: GrimsbyLive/Donna Clifford)
Mr Everatt said: “Kevin and I are delighted to become shareholders of this flagship Grimsby business. We have long been customers of the Docks Beers taproom and Academy so we know how good their beer and the customer experience is, not to mention the high quality of their events. We have been impressed by the directors’ business plan and the exciting possibilities for growth. It is good to see Grimsby being put on the map by this brewery and we want to help make their footprint even bigger.”
A new IPA could also be on the cards, building on the success of original core brew Never Say Die, with a refresh of the design of others. Mr Shadan added: “We’re confident that our craft beer brand will sustain its upward trajectory as we expand our presence and grow sales volumes through new listings in on- and off-trade establishments over the coming months.”
Charles Lumley, owner of Cleethorpes beer shop and bar Message in a Bottle – who introduced Mr Douglas and Mr Shadan to Cleethorpes Pale Ale brewer Mr Richards to kick on what was his Axholme Brewing Company – and Mr Richards’ wife Julie, have both recently stepped down from the board, having not been playing an active role in the running of the business.
Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber
