Thwaites safeguards 80 jobs following distribution review

Daniel Thwaites, the Blackburn-based brewer, has revealed it is to keep its warehousing and distribution functions in-house.

Thwaites said the move, which followed a major review of its operations, will safeguard 80 jobs.

The brewer said it had undertaken what it called a "full evaluation" of its distribution centre on the Shadsworth Industrial estate in Blackburn and had decided to manage its activity internally.

Additionally, Thwaites said it would invest in new vehicles and build a new temperature-controlled storage facility for its cask ales, subject to planning consent.

Peter Morris, Thwaites' managing director, said: "This is a big decision for us and there were many factors at play. However, it is testament to the extremely high service levels provided by our dray crews and employees to all of our customers, that we have the confidence to invest behind them for the future.

"More and more Thwaites' ales are being drunk outside our local trading area and maintaining our distribution facility and fleet is an important part of the overall service that we offer."

The warehousing and distribution review follows last year's decision by the brewer to transfer 37 of its 42 managed houses into tenanted pubs, with the potential loss of around 80 jobs.