Specialist engineering business Delkia CEO Karl Canfield and wine and spirits firm Wine and the Wood proprietor Rebecca Canfield have bought the brewery, with the aim to resume brewing.
The deal also includes the transfer of rights to the Jennings brand, including all trademarks, intellectual property and recipes.
Bottled beer under the Jennings brand will continue to be sold by Carlsberg Britvic until March 2025, following which, beer production will transfer to the new company - Jennings Brewery Ltd.
Rebecca Canfield said: “As lifelong residents of west Cumbria, we have cherished Jennings Brewery and its beer for many years.
“Preserving the heritage of the brewery and the Maltings building, which are integral to our community, is of utmost importance to us.
“We are delighted to bring Jennings back to the local area and to have it once again run by a family-owned business.”
Ambitious endeavour
She added one element that drew the duo to the business was the fact it has its own well.
Kurt Canfield, who will remain as Delkia CEO, said: “This project is a remarkable and ambitious endeavour, which we are taking on to benefit the entire community.
“The Maltings building is an historic landmark and we have extensive plans to enhance the site while respecting its heritage.
“However, critical repairs are necessary and will take time before we can get back to brewing the great beer Jennings is known for.”
The site was closed in 2022, a move that the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) called a “devastating blow for the area’s brewing heritage”.
Hugely influential
Carlsberg Britvic head of properties and facilities David Bodily added: “We’re pleased to have completed the sale of Jennings Brewery to new, local owners who are looking to preserve the site’s brewing heritage.
“The brewery is a unique location in Cockermouth and we wish Kurt and Rebecca every success for the future.”
It is expected the project will create a number of new jobs in the area, which includes the appointment of a head brewer, brewing team and a local sales and marketing force.
Some appointments have already been made such as speciality beer retailer Beer Hawk founder Chris France joining as managing director, who also grew up in the area.
France said: “Jennings was hugely influential as I developed my love for this industry and the idea of bringing a great beer back to the heart of this town is an exciting prospect.
“There’s a rich brewing history here and we’d love to hear from anyone in the community who wants to join the team or be part of bringing that back.”
