Shropshire Star

Joule's Brewery returning to roots with taphouse

A Shropshire-based brewery has unveiled plans to create a "flagship taphouse" in its original home town.

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Original building Canalside – the original brewery building in Stone, where the company exported Stone Ales from Liverpool docks to around the world

Joule's Brewery, which is based in Market Drayton, has acquired land adjacent to the Trent and Mersey Canal as it passes through Stone town centre in Staffordshire.

The plot is known as Crown Wharf and was a part of the original Joule's Brewery warehouse operation when the company exported Stone Ales from Liverpool docks around world.

Joule's was the first English beer to be exported to the United States, ahead of its rival Bass.

The site is currently utilised by Stone Town council as a parking facility and is adjacent to the town centre and has been acquired by Joule's Brewery from the Canals & Rivers Trust.

Current base – Joule’s Brewery’s premises in Market Drayton

Joule's has for some years been looking to have a flagship taphouse in Stone which is where Francis Joules established the second of the Joule's breweries in 1779, having moved from Salford.

The company grew to occupy vast parts of Stone which became synonymous with Joules.

Steve Nuttall, director of Joule's, said: "This acquisition provides us with an opportunity to embrace the Joule's story and return the brand to Stone with some style.

"Our Joule's boardroom will once again be located in Stone where the story all began. We also intend to establish a full brewery taphouse by the canal.

"This will be the first pub we have built from the ground up, it is daunting for a small company like ours and we know we need to be bold if we are to embody the spirit of Stone and embrace our brewing heritage, we simply cannot get this wrong, scary and exciting in equal measure and now we have bought the site there is no going back."

The brewery in Market Drayton

Joule's has been working with the Crown Wharf steering group headed by Stone Town Councillor Rob Kenney.

Councillor Kenney said: "We are delighted that Joule's has now purchased Crown Wharf for a pub which will make the canal accessible for the public, it is also wonderful to see Joule's so committed to our town.

"The scheme will link the town to the canal which has long been a part of the town plan. In addition, Joule's have given commitment that they will provide space on the site Stone Town Council should the town want to establish a heritage centre, perhaps in Wharfingers cottage.

"Joule's also agreed to work with the Stone Revellers where there is the prospect of a studio theatre being a part of the development. It is possible that the theatre could also be used as a cinema and conference centre."

At Crown Wharf are Rob Kenney, Bill Cash and Steve Nuttall

Before plans are drawn up, Joule's and the steering group have approached the county council who own the derelict fire station building which is adjacent to Crown Wharf.

If this building can be bought with in scheme then this will form the gateway for the public to access the wharf and the building would then be available for community use, provides it complements the leisure oriented Crown Wharf.

Mr Nuttall said: "The county council has been very supportive and we are in talks to acquire the fire station as soon as possible, once this outcome is known then the design phase will start and plans will be brought forward to the public for comments.

"If we are unable to secure the fire station we will bring forward a slightly different scheme with access from the current entrance. This is a great moment in our story and we are looking forward to presenting the plans for Joules to return to Stone with a new project at Crown Wharf."

Bill Cash MP met with the steering group in May and is delighted that Joule's has now purchased the site for development.

"Of course, there will have to be consultation. I was pleased to have supported the scheme, the project has the potential to reinvigorate the centre of the town with a leisure orientated project.

"It is exciting to see a local company with so much history in the town returning and investing and there is a wonderful opportunity here also to add a heritage centre that can-do justice to the Stone story which is so rich and I think often undersold.

"A permanent studio theatre in the heart of the town would be a terrific addition to the town and refocus arts and leisure in the centre of town. There is clearly still a lot to do but this news is a break point in the project, a milestone well worth celebrating today."