Carlsberg Britvic has proposed the Marston’s Brewery closure in Burton upon Trent in summer 2027, alongside the closure of its primary logistics operation at the site. The company informed colleagues and trade union partners of the proposal on 8 October 2026.
The plans remain subject to consultation, and Carlsberg Britvic says both operations are expected to continue running during the transition. The company confirmed to The Grocer that approximately 310 staff at the site could be affected.
Quick History of Marston’s and Burton Upon Trent Brewing
Marston’s brewing history dates to 1834, when John Marston began production at the Horninglow Brewery in Burton upon Trent. The business moved to the Albion Brewery on Shobnall Road in 1898. Per the Marston’s historical records, Burton’s gypsum-rich well water helped develop the character of its beers.
The town also gave its name to the Burton Union fermentation system, patented in 1838. Pedigree, launched in 1952, became closely associated with this traditional method.
Beer writer Roger Protz famously described the union rooms as “the cathedral of brewing.” However, Carlsberg Marston’s announced plans to retire its remaining Burton Union sets in January 2024. Carlsberg then acquired full ownership of the brewing business in 2024, before Carlsberg Britvic formed in January 2025.
Marston’s Brewery Closure: What Has Been Proposed
Carlsberg Britvic says the proposed Marston’s Brewery closure reflects “structural category decline and a need to create greater long-term value.” The company points to the UK cask ale decline as a major pressure on the country’s brewing operations.
Paul Davies, CEO of Carlsberg Britvic, said UK cask ale volumes “have more than halved in less than a decade.”
Davies acknowledged the impact on employees, stating, “I am very aware that this news will have come as a shock for colleagues, as I recognise the impact of this proposal is significant.”
The consultation concerns Carlsberg Britvic Burton upon Trent, not Marston’s PLC, the separate pub company.
How it Impacts Staff, Production and Cask Ale
The proposed Marston’s Brewery closure could affect approximately 310 colleagues across the brewing site and its primary logistics operation, The Grocer and the Press Association revealed.
Paul also mentioned that the proposal “is by no means a reflection on any of our people,” adding that the company would make every effort to support staff through the uncertainty.
CAMRA chairman Ash Corbett-Collins called the announcement an “absolute disgrace,” but welcomed plans to find new owners for smaller cask brands, saying independent brewers could “become custodians of Carlsberg’s cask brands.”
A similar path saved Jennings Brewery, which FoodBev reports was successfully revived under independent family ownership. It provides a clear precedent for preserving regional brewing heritage.
Marston’s Brewery Closure: What Happens to the Beers?
The proposed Marston’s Brewery closure raises questions about the future of its cask and regional ales. Carlsberg Britvic confirmed that priority brands, including Hobgoblin, McEwan’s and Brooklyn, will remain in its portfolio.
However, the company is “actively seeking new homes for other cask and regional ale brands,” according to the Press Association. As CEO Paul Davies quotes, smaller ales “are much loved by select consumers” and pledged to “do everything we can” to help them thrive under “more specialist or local ownership.”
Carlsberg Britvic plans to consult colleagues and trade unions over the coming months. The company will share further industry updates. No decision date has been announced, and the proposal remains under consultation.
The uncertainty affects employees and a brewing community with deep historical roots in Burton upon Trent.
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