Marston's buys Ringwood for £19.2m

July 13, 2007: Brewing and pubs giant Marston's has bought the Ringwood Brewery and its pub estate in a deal worth £19.2 million.

The deal will give the Midlands-based company seven more pubs in the South of England, to go with some Eldridge Pope houses it bought six months ago.

Marston's will gain a portfolio of much loved beers with the Ringwood deal, including Fortyniner and Old Thumper.

Ringwood was founded in 1978 by Peter Austin, popularly regarded as a founding father of microbrewing in Britain. It supplies about 700 customers, predominantly in the South of England.

Marston's says it is committed to the brewery which will continue to brew all Ringwood brands as well as serve as a base for operations in the region.

Alistair Darby, managing director of Marston's Beer Company, said: "We are delighted to welcome Ringwood to Marston's. We plan to develop its excellent brands as part of our strategy to meet consumer demand for premium ales with local provenance and heritage.

"Our premium ale business continues to deliver good, consistent growth and we look forward to replicating the success of the Jennings business through Ringwood in the South of England."

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) fears that the deal will encourage a domino effect of consolidation in pubs and brewing.

Chief executive Mike Benner said: “The practice among larger breweries of acquiring smaller competitors is a race where the only loser is the consumer who is often denied a locally brewed beer. As one of the larger breweries buys a brewery and expands their estate, their competitors start hunting for their next purchase to keep up.

"CAMRA’s fear is that an increasing number of smaller breweries will be lost if this race continues and consumer choice will suffer as a result. In the last three years alone we have seen another Hampshire brewery, Gales, bought and closed by Fuller’s and Greene King bought and closed Hardys and Hansons in Nottingham, as well as buying and closing Ridley’s brewery in Essex.

“Marston’s purchased Jennings in Cumbria and invested in the future of the brewery and we hope they will continue this model with Ringwood. But, it begs the question, who is next in line for acquisition?”

CAMRA is now seeking assurances that Marston’s will continue to make all Ringwood’s beers available in its pubs around Hampshire — as well as in the freetrade — and not be substituted for Marston’s own brands. It also wants assurances that the acquired pubs will keep their Ringwood identity.

John Buckley, CAMRA’s Wessex regional director said: “Ringwood beers are widely available throughout Hampshire and are highly valued. It is essential that they are not replaced by other beers in the Marston’s portfolio.

"Local drinkers in Hampshire are still reeling from the closure of Gales Brewery and we will fight to protect choice for consumers."