A SADDLEWORTH brewery is closing its doors after finding current issues ‘insurmountable.’
Donkeystone – which is based on the Wellington Industrial Park in Greenfield, behind the Tesco supermarket – has poured its final pint for customers (Wednesday, March 22).
After surviving Covid-19 lockdowns, the company, formed on Boarshurst Business Centre on Kinders Lane in Greenfield, moved to its current site in June 2021.
But in a statement, the firm – whose directors are listed as Stephen James, Carl Pugh and Mossley-based Alexander Smalley – admitted rising costs are too much to overcome.
It said: “As from today (Monday, March 22) Donkeystone Brewing Co will no longer be trading.
“The current climate for breweries and the hospitality industry has proven to be insurmountable.
“The increased cost in materials and utilities along with the ongoing decline in consumer confidence has resulted in us having to close.
“We would like to thank all of our staff for all their hard work over the years. Also all of our valued customers for their support.
“This situation for us all as you can imagine is crushing. We have all put our hearts and souls into this business and met some amazing people.
“Our feelings cannot be put into words.”
Sad to hear this.
Always loved your real ale.
Awesome place, can’t believe it’s failed, pass the recipes on!
Seemed to get too big for its own good. Alienated the local pubs who saw it as a rival and stoped selling there beer . Plus forever changing the beer isn’t a good idea either.
It’s a shame it’s closed. But they had a good thing going when they had it up at Boarshurst.
Sorry to hear the sad news,you brewed some great ales.
So sad to read this
Shocked and saddened to hear this news. I was in there for 4 hours on Saturday with my family and it was busy. But i do think their growth was too fast to be sustainable along with competition against local pubs. Its a real shame, good luck to the staff. Sad day for the village.
Great shame you are closing have enjoyed both your beer and the venue
Sad news as a direct consequence of years of Tory lies and mismanagement, ehikst they line their own pockets and those of their pals. People should remember this when they vote next.
Whatever you say tumbleweed.
Shut up you daft idiot
100% sir. Not voting Tory again
That’s a shame because they were lovely neighbours to have, and at no point did they ever make noise, have late night deliveries, bully local residents, play the victim or undermine people who had the temerity to suggest their “bar” wasn’t welcome in a quiet location.
I often find these articles in The Saddleworth Independent, (and it’s sister papers,) interesting, entertaining, informative and generally worthwhile reading, but I think this one demonstrates something very true about human nature.
No matter how mad or desperate things are politically or otherwise, judging from the comments here and from the number of comments what really matters to most people is still Beer.
Demonstrating the old adage, that, “As long as they can plough and go to market,” most people don’t much care who runs the country ?
Scale back and return to your original business model. You can make this a success again I am sure.
Oh that’s such a shame! Really enjoyed visiting your place, so sorry to hear this ????
So shocked and sorry to hear this. We were in there Sunday evening as we were most Sundays. Really enjoyed their stouts. A real change from the usual Guinness. Hope they will be able to reopen elsewhere locally.
I Said this would happen 4/5 years ago when they opened their own bar. Covid hasn’t helped admittedly but How can you be a local rural brewery selling your beer to local rural pubs then go in direct competition with the very pubs that are selling their beer. Pub companies charge tenants ridiculous prices for their beer so the very pubs selling their beer can’t even compete with the donkeystone brewery on price per pint. No sympathy sorry, greed has now served justice.
All hail J Dog. The wise dog. You should be a dawg now.