Heavitree Brewery: Announcement of the Cessation of Brewing, 1970

From: THE BREWING TRADES REVIEW & BOTTLING, APRIL 1970

The board of the Heavitree Brewery Ltd released the following statement last month: “Exeter’s last brewery and what must be one of its oldest industries is to cease production in April. The directors of the Heavitree Brewery Ltd have announced that brewing, which has for some years been a relatively small part of the company’s activities, is no longer justifiable because of increasing costs. The company will remain independent. Its 135 pubs will in future draw most of their beer requirements from Whitbread & Co. Ltd, though a selection of other national brands will also be available. The wines and spirits department and the head office will function as before, as will the building and maintenance department”.

“About 30 employees will be made redundant by this rationalisation. They will all receive generous redundancy payments or early retirement schemes”.

“The directors are convinced that the company has good prospects for the future under the new arrangements.”

The statement was signed by the managing director, MR W P T Tucker.