St Austell Brewery

Sanna Soomro

Introduction

St Austell Brewery has been brewing beer

and real ale in Cornwall since 1851 and runs

over 170 of the most popular pubs in the

South West.

In 2001 the brewery celebrated its 150th

Anniversary.

The brewery makes award winning bottled

beers called Tribute, Proper

Job, Smugglers, Admirals Ale, Clouded

Yellow, HSD, Dartmoor Best, Trelawny and

Korev.

Visitor Centre (1)

The brewery has an interactive museum for

visitors to learn about the history of St

Austell pubs, beers, wines spirits and the

Cornish families who created them over the

years.

At the end of the tour there is a chance for

visitors to sample award winning beers and

to enjoy home cooked pub food and snacks.

There is also a shop to purchase

wines, spirits, clothing, gifts and St Austell

bottled beers - all at special prices.

Visitor Centre (2)

The visitor centre is also available for

wedding bookings for up to 150 guests; the

brewery can provide food and drink.

The centre is only 10 minutes from the town

centre and is available to hire for

conferences, business meetings, workshops

and seminars.

The Visitor Centre won a Silver award in the

Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Problems (1)

Due peak seasons there has been localised

traffic congestion because of popularity with

visitors.

There is pressure on land to provide more

parking space for visitors.

Most people travel to the brewery by car so

there is an increased risk of people drinking

and driving after sampling the beers

Problems (2)

If business continues to flourish larger lorries

may be needed to transport the goods. This

could lead to local road damage and place

extra strain on local council budgets to fix

roads damaged by larger lorries/vans.

Strain on local services, e.g. rubbish

collection/sewage

Increased day visitors or large groups of

wedding/ conference guests creates waste

which needs to be collected.

Benefits (1)

St Austell Brewery is the 2nd largest private employer in Cornwall with a workforce of around 1,000 people. The brewery is family owned and likes to employ local people. This means that wages earned are likely to be spent on local goods and services. This increases the chances of the multiplier effect happening.

St Austell Brewery is the South West’s largest wholesaler of wines, spirits, minerals, lagers and beers and serves over 3000 pubs, hotels, bars, clubs and restaurants in the South West of England. Tertiary jobs will be created e.g. drivers to transport the beer, cleaners, bar staff, waiters. Quaternary jobs will be created e.g. marketing , advertising and website design.

Benefits (2)

Turnover has grown by 7% to over 100 million pounds. This success might lead to further investment and future economic benefits.

Profits before tax were 9.7 million last year. The company could use the money to diversify and make new products eg beer tasting peanuts, alcohol free wine/beer.

St Austell Brewery runs the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust which has donated over £300,000 to local good causes since it was founded in 2003. Local charities e.g. children's hospices benefit. This improves quality of life for vulnerable people in the area.

Benefits (3)

St Austell Brewery has a pro-active

environmental policy and is committed to

reducing the company’s carbon footprint by

30%. This suggests that food products for bar

food and the food in the visitor centre are

sourced locally. This boosts local farms and

food-processing companies. Less traffic on the

road as goods only have to transported from

local places.

The Visitor Centre at the brewery won a Silver

award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme

and because it is advertised as just one of

several local attractions so local tourism could

be boosted.

Benefits (4)

The Company is an active member of the community and sponsors may local sports in the South West, particularly rugby and rowing. Local community spirit grows, this could extend possibilities for local people using each others trades and skills.

Exports have increased by 37% and the brewery now exports to 20 countries. This will create tertiary jobs e.g. transporting the goods to docks. This could strengthen trade relationship with other countries and who might want to invest in the local area.

Multiplier Effect

Visitors pay £10 per adult and £8 students and OAPs for a ticket for the visitor centre tour. They might also buy food, drink and girts in the shop. All of this increases profit turnover and create jobs.

Wedding packages cost at least £1000 just to book the venue. Such an occasion would create the need for young people to work as waitresses, waiters, bar staff etc.

Visitors spend money on accommodation, food, taxis in the local area which benefits the wider community. If local people are employed they will have more disposable income they could spend in local shops. Again this has a positive effect.