Greene King swoops for Ridleys

July 4, 2005: East Anglian regional giant Greene King is to take over independent family brewer T D Ridley, it was announced today.

Following, as it does, hard on the heels of Wolverhampton & Dudley's takeover of Jennings brewery, in Cumbria, CAMRA has once again expressed concern about decreasing consumer choice.

Chief executive Mike Benner said takeovers of this kind rarely led to benefits for consumers.

“Greene King has stated this morning that it intends to close the Ridleys brewery in the autumn," he said. "Ridleys has been family-owned since 1842, brewing excellent local beers. Greene King should reconsider its decision and take steps to sell the brewery as a going concern.”

CAMRA is calling on the Government to reinstate legislation to force brewers with more than 2000 pubs to allow their pub tenants to take a guest beer from a supplier of their choice.

In the 12 months to the end of Sepetmber, Ridleys, which dates backs 163 and has an estate of 73 pubs, reported profits of £15.1m.