Hall & Woodhouse, the independent Dorset brewer, has announced the sale of its direct-delivered free trade business to Marston’s Beer Company for an undisclosed sum.
The group said that as a regional brewer in the current market it was unable to continue to compete with large international companies and micro brewers.
David French, head of brands for Hall & Woodhouse, said the sale would enable the company to focus investment on the development of our new brewery and pub estate.
He said: “The direct Free Trade market has become increasingly competitive, and regional brewers like us have become squeezed between large international brewing companies with economies to offer ever increasing discounts, and micro brewers using their lower cost of beer duty to also sell at low prices.
“Despite our best efforts to grow the Free Trade business, the decline of the market and the level of profitability meant that we were unable to make this a viable long-term business.
The handover is scheduled to be completed by 1 February.
