Last night saw Leeds based independent brewery North Brewing Co / North Bar Ltd crowned Best Brewing Pub Company at the Morning Advertiser’s Publican Awards, the pub industry’s ‘Oscars’.
The award comes after a challenging year for North: The pandemic saw their bars switch between being closed, being open as bottle shops, and being open as bars numerous times. The judges praised the creativity with which North approached Covid 19, including their ‘Buy the NHS a pint’ scheme, focus on sustainability, and record e-commerce turnover.
North were also shortlisted for ‘Best Pub Employer’, and Head of Retail Fiona Potts was shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Industry Contribution’ for her work during the pandemic.
Alongside dealing with the challenges of Covid 19, 2020 also saw North Brewing Co undertake their biggest project to date: The careful restoration of a 21,000 square foot former steelworks, Springwell.
Springwell demonstrates North’s ambitions for 2021:
• North’s brewing output will increase to 16,000 hectolitres (2.8 million pints a year).
• Springwell sees a multi-million pound investment in the local area
• The expansion is creating new jobs and securing many more despite the Covid 19 pandemic
• North have successfully received a Business Growth Programme Fund from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support the project and generate 7 further jobs in the business.
A new Brewery Tap at Springwell
A 500 person capacity taproom will pour draught North beers fresh from the brewery, with festivals, events, brewery tours, street food traders, a merchandise shop, pop up art exhibitions and space for private hire.
• The taproom will open for outdoor drinking on Friday 16th April.
• The taproom will be home to two street food kitchens – Little Bao Boy and Kerbside Kids. These kitchens are being installed in two shipping containers on the site.
Co-founder John Gyngell commented:
“Winning this award at the end of an incredibly challenging year means everything to us. It’s a testament to the flexibility and creativity of our team, and the support that we have received from our customers over the past twelve months. Whilst 2020 has been a tough year, we are so inspired by the space that we have built at Springwell. Creating a hub for North at the brewery will strengthen the connection between our team, bars, brewery and wider community. We are now focused on preparing to re-open the bars and bottleshops, and welcome the first guests to the taproom at Springwell.”
North saw further success this month at the SIBA Business Awards. Their new flagship Pilsner, Springwell Pils was awarded Best Individual Design, and their partnership with The Square Ball to celebrate Leeds Utd’s promotion was highly commended for Best Marketing Implementation.
North Brewing Co webshop
https://shop.northbrewing.com/
Social Media links
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/northbrewco/
https://www.instagram.com/springwelllds/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/northbrewingleeds
North Bar Ltd Group
Alfred in Meanwood, Further North in Chapel Allerton, Preston in Oakwood, North Bar Social in Otley, North Bar in Leeds City Centre, North Bar in Harrogate and North Brewing Co Taproom in Leeds City Centre
North Bar and North Brewing Co
North Bar was opened by John Gyngell and Christian Townsley in Leeds in 1997 with the shared vision of blending global craft beer and local breweries, interesting wines and spirits, great quality food and eclectic music and art. North Bar quickly became renowned for its alternative approach, quirky style and excellent, friendly service – winning the prestigious ‘Best places to drink in Britain’ in the Observer Food Monthly Awards.