Two northern breweries enter administration

Two northern breweries, York Brewery and Mitchell’s of Lancaster, have gone into administration, with Duff & Phelps appointed as administrators. York Brewery, established in 1996, operates four pubs and a brewery tap room from within the city walls. None of its 49 employees have been made redundant. Duff & Phelps said that despite its popularity as a tourist destination, the company faced cash-flow pressures as a result of the difficult conditions that have affected the leisure and pub industries across the UK. Mitchell’s of Lancaster, founded in 1871, operates 10 pubs in Lancashire, employing about 120 people. Some 14 employees have been made redundant at the head office, although each pub continues to operate. Steven Muncaster, managing director at Duff & Phelps, said: “The UK pub sector has suffered sustained adversity over the past decade, with the latest ONS statistics showing that nearly a quarter of pubs have closed since 2008, with the majority of these closures being small pubs. “This troubled landscape, coupled with rising business rates, increased minimum wage and the continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit has created difficult conditions for pubs across the UK. As such, the owners were left with no alternative but to put the company into administration. “We are seeking a buyer for the group and we encourage any interested parties to come forward as soon as possible.” To send feedback, e-mail karl.tomusk@egi.co.uk or tweet @karltomusk or @estatesgazette