Tyneside craft beer firm supports region’s micro-breweries with five-figure funding

A North East craft brewery has secured a five figure investment to expand its operations as well as support the region’s brewing industry.

The Great North Eastern Brewing Company has received £50k investment from North East Small Loan Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

As part of its continuing expansion, the Dunston-based firm has worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to secure the investment to install a brand new canning line alongside its existing bottling line.

As well as being used for its own products, the brewery - which is based on the riverside site of the former Federation Brewery.- is making the new line available to other micro-breweries in the region.

Managing director Paul Minnikin commented: “We’ve been growing steadily over the last few years, but we’re really starting to fly now and the new canning line is the crucial next stage of our development.

“Having the new canning line alongside our existing bottling line really opens up a range of new possibilities for the business, both in terms of our own products and in helping other North East brewers reduce their costs by packaging their beers within the region rather than elsewhere.

Commenting on the new investment, he continued: “The NEL team was easy to deal with, quickly developed a detailed appreciation of the business and really understood what we’re looking to do in the future.”

Mike Guellard, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, added: “The Great North Eastern Brewing Company is a highly impressive operation that delivers quality products to a growing range of customers and has a clear, robust plan for the next stages of its development.”