Defra Helps New Warwickshire Brewery Pull First Pints

Purity Brewery, based at Upper Spernall Farm, was set up by two former Bass employees, Paul Halsey and Jim Minkin, who between them have over 30 years experience in the brewery business. In February 2005, Paul and Jim, along with Paul Evans, were awarded a RES grant of £200,000 to start the business.

By the end of the year the team will be brewing its own two brands: Pure Gold, (3.8% ABV), a light easy-drinking ale; and Pure UBU (pronounced oo-boo, 4.5% ABV), a full-flavoured amber beer named after the farm dog.

The state of the art brewery was constructed in the farm’s redundant sheep sheds, which were specifically converted for the purpose. Although the facility is ultra-modern, the brewery will create cask ales through traditional methods, and using only natural ingredients.

Paul Halsey said:

“Purity Brewing Co is a business formed out of a passion for brewing and wanting to make a difference.”

“Defra’s support has enabled us to create a brewery that is truly unique and will be at the centre of the community. Being in the Heart of England enables us to reach a target market that really has a genuine interest in locally produced beers. After all, Stratford upon Avon once had a great tradition for brewing at the famous Flower’s Brewery.

“Our brewery has great flexibility in that it can brew 10 or 20 barrels at a time, that’s up to 6000 pints. As well as selling to the local pubs, our beers will be available from the Brewery Shop in five-litre mini-casks and 20-litre polypins.”

Geoff Sansome, Regional Manager for the Rural Development Service in the West Midlands, said:

“This is a good example of how a rural location need be no bar to setting up a successful business. With modern communications a rural company can be just as successful as one located in a town or city. The people at Purity Brewery have the background and the experience to make this successful and that is one reason why we have supported the project.”


NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) is one of the schemes that operate under the England Rural Development Programme. Its coverage is wide-ranging with the primary aim being to help farmers adapt to changing markets and develop new business opportunities. RES also has a broader role in supporting the development of the rural economy, community, heritage and environment so other rural businesses, partnerships, companies and rural community groups are also eligible to receive funding.

2. Around £150 million of EU and Government money has been allocated to RES from April 2001 to 2006. The scheme is available throughout England, except in designated Objective 1 areas such as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly where separate funding schemes apply.

3. The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) provides a framework for the operation of 7 separate but integrated schemes which provide new opportunities to protect and improve the countryside, to develop sustainable enterprises and to help rural communities to thrive. The schemes (and a brief outline of their aims) are:

Environmental Stewardship (a new scheme replacing the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants). The scheme is designed to conserve England’s countryside, securing widespread environmental benefits.
Hill Farm Allowance (supporting sustainable farming in the English hills).
English Woodland Grant Scheme (a new scheme replacing the Woodland Grant and Farm Woodland Premium Schemes). The scheme aims to encourage planting of new woodland and maintenance of existing woodland.
Energy Crops Scheme (encouraging renewable energy production).
Rural Enterprise Scheme (supporting a diversified and enterprising rural economy).
Vocational Training Scheme (improving occupational skills of farmers).
Processing and Marketing Grant (improving agricultural processing and marketing infrastructure).

4. A total of £1.6 billion of EU and Government money is being made available under these schemes in England during the 7 years (2000 to 2006) of the Programme.

5. For more information on any of the schemes in the ERDP, contact your local Rural Development Service office or visit the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk.

6. The Rural Enterprise Scheme is delivered by the Rural Development Service (RDS) which, with the administration of a multi-million pound grant budget, is the single largest organisation working for the benefit of rural areas in England. The Rural Development Service has multi-skilled teams of around 1,500 staff working in eight regions across England and works with rural partners and local people to achieve:

Environmental enhancement
Better conservation of wildlife and biodiversity
Stronger rural economies and communities.

7. As part of Rural Strategy 2004, Defra has reviewed its funding streams for rural areas. The Department is committed to reducing the current range of schemes and programmes to a framework based around three major funds targeted to the three Departmental strategic priorities impacting on rural areas: environmental land management and natural resource protection; sustainable rural communities; and sustainable food and farming. This approach aims to achieve greater simplicity for customers and to improve value for money; it is being implemented progressively, with the final stage to be completed with the roll out of the next rural development programme (2007-2013). Further details of the funding streams review can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/ruraldelivery/funding/default.htm



Issued on behalf of the Rural Development Service by Government News Network.
Regional news releases issued by the Government News Network can be viewed at http://www.gnn.gov.uk/