Fuller's plans to sell former Gales brewery site

Chiswick-based brewers Fuller's has agreed to the sale of the former Gales Brewery site in Hampshire.

The brewery site in Horndean was acquired by Fuller's in December 2005 and incorporated into their business, but has now been deemed surplus to requirements.

After months of careful planning, liaison with local interests and participation in the District Council-led Horndean Steering Group, Fuller's has announced that it is ready to offer the site for sale for redevelopment.

The brewer hopes the sale will be a catalyst for regeneration in the village of Horndean, and any redevelopment will retain the well-known local landmark - the Brewery Tower.

Nigel Atkinson, non-executive director of Fuller's, said: "We have listened carefully to the views of the community and the District Council throughout the process and share their enthusiasm for the revitalisation of the village through careful redevelopment.

"All the Brewery sites in the village centre will be re-planned comprehensively for mixed-use redevelopment for the benefit of Horndean."

Fuller's has appointed CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) to provide development and planning consultancy services and to handle the sale negotiations.

Mark Budden, CBRE senior director said: "This is a rare and exciting opportunity to replace many outworn buildings with a carefully planned sympathetic redevelopment to provide new homes, new jobs and a range of facilities of benefit to the village.

"We look forward to receiving a variety of redevelopment proposals for further evaluation and discussion with the District Council - which will hopefully enable regeneration to commence in 2009."