Partner Article

Law firm brew up success in management buy out

A long-standing North East micro brewery has been taken over by a local couple, helped by a group of North East solicitors.

With legal and business advice from Newcastle based solicitors, Clarke Mairs LLP, High House Farm Brewery and visitor centre in Matfen is able to continue brewing and trading in Northumberland.

Heather and Gary Scott purchased both the brewery and the visitor centre last month. Gary, who was brought up in Stamfordham, was eager to keep the ales trading from their original home.

He said: “With the news lately regarding Newcastle Brown Ale now being brewed in Yorkshire and the Twinings factory being moved to southern England, we were really keen to keep the North East institution that is our Matfen ales in the North East where it belongs!”

Buying the business has enabled the couple to save all existing jobs and by extending opening hours of the restaurant, to employ more staff.

Now employing a total of 15 full and part time roles, Heather said: “It was very important for us to keep everyone’s jobs safe which we have managed to do and we have plans to grow the business further.

“It’s a very exciting time for us. Within the past month, we have already opened the restaurant later for extra evenings and with a successful marriage licence, we have also applied for a civil partnership licence, which means we will ultimately need to employ even more local people to cope with demand.”

Partner for Clarke Mairs, Tim Clarke, added: “I felt very passionate about Heather and Gary buying out the business as, with them living locally, we all felt the need to keep the business local. They have a wealth of experience in the trade and I have no doubt they will continue to grow the business and brand as an award winning North East attraction.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .