| Re: Wadworth Brewery, Devizes - ongoing discussion and updates Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 14:22, 21st November 2025 |     |
From the BBC:
Wadworth Brewery buildings conversion given go-ahead
Developers have given an idea of what they hope the redeveloped brewery site will look like
Permission has been granted for the redevelopment of Grade II* listed Victorian brewery buildings into homes.
Dating back to 1875, the Wadworth and Co brewery site in Devizes has been empty since the firm moved to new premises, away from the town centre, in 2023.
Most of the Victorian site's industrial buildings were demolished last month to make way for 102 new homes, with only the listed Wadworth building, White Lion pub and adjacent buildings remaining.
Wiltshire Council has now given consent to change these into 23 new apartments, a house and commercial space, which developers hoped, alongside existing plans for the site, would create a new "cultural quarter" for the town.
The developers, Nash Partnership, said that the cultural area would be formed with developer Backhouse's development on the northern portion of the site, and the revamp of the historic Assize Court as the new home for Wiltshire Museum to the west, and would have the "regenerated heritage buildings at its heart".
Simon Williams, town clerk for Devizes, said: "The town council has been supportive of the application throughout and is delighted to see this historic site being developed." He added that the council was "pleased to see the town centre having investment made which connects with other developments in a supportive way".
The plans include re-using specific artefacts from the site such as copper vessels, engines and brewery equipment, as part of the designs.
Developers have given an idea of what they hope the redeveloped brewery site will look like
Permission has been granted for the redevelopment of Grade II* listed Victorian brewery buildings into homes.
Dating back to 1875, the Wadworth and Co brewery site in Devizes has been empty since the firm moved to new premises, away from the town centre, in 2023.
Most of the Victorian site's industrial buildings were demolished last month to make way for 102 new homes, with only the listed Wadworth building, White Lion pub and adjacent buildings remaining.
Wiltshire Council has now given consent to change these into 23 new apartments, a house and commercial space, which developers hoped, alongside existing plans for the site, would create a new "cultural quarter" for the town.
The developers, Nash Partnership, said that the cultural area would be formed with developer Backhouse's development on the northern portion of the site, and the revamp of the historic Assize Court as the new home for Wiltshire Museum to the west, and would have the "regenerated heritage buildings at its heart".
Simon Williams, town clerk for Devizes, said: "The town council has been supportive of the application throughout and is delighted to see this historic site being developed." He added that the council was "pleased to see the town centre having investment made which connects with other developments in a supportive way".
The plans include re-using specific artefacts from the site such as copper vessels, engines and brewery equipment, as part of the designs.
| Re: Wadworth Brewery, Devizes - ongoing discussion and updates Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:04, 31st October 2025 | |
An update, from the BBC:
Demolition under way at Victorian Wadworth Brewery site in Devizes
The listed section of the site will remain standing but the old industrial buildings have been demolished
A large, historic brewery site remembered for its shire horses and the smell of hops has been mostly demolished.
Wadworth in Devizes has moved production to the edge of the Wiltshire town, selling off a large chunk to developer Backhouse.
The iconic red brick Victorian building is listed and will stay standing, with plans yet to be confirmed on its future use. The rest of the site was mostly industrial buildings, now pulled down for Backhouse to build housing on the site.
Gordon Snook worked at the brewery for almost 20 years, starting in the bottling hall and eventually becoming head horseman. He said it was "one of the best jobs I've ever had".
"It's quite sad. Part of my life is still entrapped in there I think. Lots of memories."
Mr Snook remembers the famous horses fondly. The brewery had used them to deliver to pubs since the 1800s, but decided to retire them for good earlier this year. Mr Snook remembered also taking them out for weddings, funerals and even as far as the houses of Parliament. "Everyone used to say how nice they looked. I don't know they appreciated how much work goes on behind the scenes before you got out on the road," he said, adding it was "jolly hard work".
"It is sad to see it go," said Helen Cross, who grew up in the area. She is pleased, however, the iconic Victorian building will still be there. Ms Cross remembers the smell of the brewery and the horses and the carts passing by with the barrels on. "A good memory from when I was younger."
Matt Bishop, head of construction at Backhouse, explained the scheme would create more than 100 new homes, including 60 apartments. "We commenced demolition back in early September. The demolition process is well underway. The site is looking quite flat," he said.
Next, the developers will start testing the ground and working out what needs to be done to make it safe for house building. The developer wants to start construction in spring next year, with the first people moving into homes in 2027, and the project finished by 2029.
The listed section of the site will remain standing but the old industrial buildings have been demolished
A large, historic brewery site remembered for its shire horses and the smell of hops has been mostly demolished.
Wadworth in Devizes has moved production to the edge of the Wiltshire town, selling off a large chunk to developer Backhouse.
The iconic red brick Victorian building is listed and will stay standing, with plans yet to be confirmed on its future use. The rest of the site was mostly industrial buildings, now pulled down for Backhouse to build housing on the site.
Gordon Snook worked at the brewery for almost 20 years, starting in the bottling hall and eventually becoming head horseman. He said it was "one of the best jobs I've ever had".
"It's quite sad. Part of my life is still entrapped in there I think. Lots of memories."
Mr Snook remembers the famous horses fondly. The brewery had used them to deliver to pubs since the 1800s, but decided to retire them for good earlier this year. Mr Snook remembered also taking them out for weddings, funerals and even as far as the houses of Parliament. "Everyone used to say how nice they looked. I don't know they appreciated how much work goes on behind the scenes before you got out on the road," he said, adding it was "jolly hard work".
"It is sad to see it go," said Helen Cross, who grew up in the area. She is pleased, however, the iconic Victorian building will still be there. Ms Cross remembers the smell of the brewery and the horses and the carts passing by with the barrels on. "A good memory from when I was younger."
Matt Bishop, head of construction at Backhouse, explained the scheme would create more than 100 new homes, including 60 apartments. "We commenced demolition back in early September. The demolition process is well underway. The site is looking quite flat," he said.
Next, the developers will start testing the ground and working out what needs to be done to make it safe for house building. The developer wants to start construction in spring next year, with the first people moving into homes in 2027, and the project finished by 2029.
| Re: Wadworth Brewery, Devizes - ongoing discussion and updates Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:47, 20th February 2025 | |
Going rather off-topic again here (I can, because I'm an administrator!
), I'm reminded of a joke from that great comedian from Cornwall, Jethro (real name, Geoffrey Rowe) with a broad West Country accent:"Why do they grow so many potatoes in Wiltshire? Because there they have Devizes for Chippenham!"
| Re: Wadworth Brewery, Devizes - ongoing discussion and updates Posted by johnneyw at 12:53, 20th February 2025 | |
I recall visiting the old Wadsworth Brewery in Devizes on a 6th form 'A' Level economics 'educational' trip. We had a brilliant economics teacher who was also head of the 6th form. The brewery were quite generous with their free sampling in the tap room at the end of the tour I recall. Made the coach journey back to Bristol quite jolly.
| Re: Wadworth Brewery, Devizes - ongoing discussion and updates Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:00, 19th February 2025 | |
That is indeed a 'great sadness' - those horse-drawn deliveries were brilliant (as is their beer!).
| Wadworth Brewery, Devizes - ongoing discussion and updates Posted by grahame at 22:35, 19th February 2025 | |
From The BBC - end of a freight traffic
A brewery that has used shire horses to deliver to pubs since the 1800s has decided to stop the service, with the horses - Sam and George - going to a new home in Wales.
Wadworth, in Devizes, Wiltshire, was originally planning new stables, but has said this was "no longer viable due to the escalation in build costs and complexities of the site".
The company has recently moved production away from their heritage site in the centre of the town which has made local deliveries more difficult.
It has been decision Wadworth described as a "great sadness".
Wadworth, in Devizes, Wiltshire, was originally planning new stables, but has said this was "no longer viable due to the escalation in build costs and complexities of the site".
The company has recently moved production away from their heritage site in the centre of the town which has made local deliveries more difficult.
It has been decision Wadworth described as a "great sadness".
