Church in bid to take over closed brewing museum

A church is in talks with Coors about taking over the running of its closed brewing museum.

The Coors visitor centre in Burton, which houses the brewing museum, closed in June after a major refurbishment failed to boost visitor numbers.

The Christian International Ministries Church has been temporarily using another nearby Coors building after its headquarters burnt down in November.

It is now understood to be considering a number of the brewer's local properties as a location for its permanent residence including the visitor centre.

The Church is a member of Christian International Ministries Network in America, an organisation known for its right wing views.

Cllr Michael Rodgers who represents Burton on East Staffordshire Borough Council confirmed that he had spoken to representatives about the proposed takeover.

"I have spoken to them and the museum is an option they are considering."

He added it was unclear about the extent to which the organisation would be holding services and meetings at the reopened centre if they made a successful bid.

The proposed takeover has led to concern among local licensees about the church's views on alcohol and the wisdom of allowing a religious organisation to run a brewing museum.

Dave Hawthorne, member of the church's leadership team hit back at criticism.

"We wouldn't be considering running a brewery museum if we had a problem with alcohol. We are not the British temperance society," he said.

A spokesman from Coors confirmed that they would consider a bid made by the church. "We had initial discussions with the church and they have looked at a number of potential properties available.

"We would be open to any proposal from an organisation that comes up with a viable business plan for running the brewery museum in Burton."