A 19th-century brewery is heading to auction this month, 18 months after it was first put up for sale.
Castle Brewery in Cockermouth was formerly home of the Jennings Brewery company before its closure in September 2022. On sale after nearly 200 years in operation, the sprawling 1.73 acre site is going under the hammer at auction in an effort to secure a new owner.
Developed in 1874 by John Jennings, the once-bustling brewery will be sold by Auction House London in a livestreamed event on Tuesday, 12th March 2024. With a guide price of £900,000 there’s hope that the iconic site will catch the attention of investors.
Situated on the edge of the Lake District National Park, 20 miles from Carlisle, the historic brewery contains an extensive number of period buildings. Spanning 63,125 square feet of accommodation, most of the site is available on a freehold tenure, with just a small part of the property being held on a 700-year lease.
Castle Brewery, Brewery Lane, Cockermouth, Cumberland, CA13 9NE
Former Brewery Site | Guide price: £900,000+ [more info]
Current owners Carlsberg Marston will also be keeping one foot in the door, with a tenancy agreement included in the condition of the sale. The company, who acquired the brewery back in 2005, will be renting part of the property on a 6-month licence at a monthly rate of £2,500.
The Castle Brewery is a valuable piece of the town's heritage, and the local community is keen on it remaining as a functioning brewery. However, the online auction listing also highlights the site’s potential for redevelopment.
Part of the brewery, the Grade II Listed former maltings building, had previously been granted planning permission for conversion into 16 residential flats. While this permission has since lapsed, potential investors may view it as an encouraging sign for future approval.
Whether Castle Brewery undergoes a spectacular residential transformation or is repurposed for another use, there is hope that the upcoming auction will enable a new owner to revive one of Cockermouth's most iconic landmarks.
Castle Brewery goes up for sale by livestream auction with Auction House London on Tuesday 12th March 2024.
