'Banks's holds a special place in the city’s history and heritage,' council says as brewery winds down

Brewing at the city brewery, which has stood tall against the Wolverhampton skyline since 1875, came to an end at the end of August - with the last staff at the site expected to say farewell on September 30.

Carlsberg Britvic, which owns the brewery, is switching brewing to its other sites in Burton and Northampton. It also plans to move staff out of Marston’s House and the Grimstone Street depot to the new West Midlands Interchange in 2026.

Fans of Banks’s Bitter and Mild have told of their sadness at the loss of the iconic brewery, with Wolverhampton CAMRA saying it was “dismayed by Carlsberg Britvic's decision to end brewing at Banks's, particularly in this anniversary year”.

Carlsberg Britvic, which was previously known as Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) before it acquired Britvic at the start of this year, announced back in October 2024 that the brewery would close this autumn, putting 97 jobs at risk.

The drinks company has not confirmed exactly how many employees have lost their jobs at the brewery, which has been a major employer in Wolverhampton for 150 years.

Wolverhampton Council, however, has said it is working with affected workers who need help to secure new roles.

A spokesperson for the council said of the situation: “It is sad and disappointing to see Carlsberg Britvic winding down the Banks’s Brewery and its operations in the city.

“Banks’s has been brewing beer in our city since 1875 and it holds a special place in the city’s history and heritage.

“Our Wolves at Work team has joined forces with a range of city partners to support any workers who need help in finding new roles.

“We remain in contact with the company and will do everything within our power to ensure this strategic site is maximised for the benefit of the city and is brought back into use as swiftly as possible.

“We must remember, that while it is undoubtedly a blow, Wolverhampton city centre is being transformed through a billion-pound investment pipeline that is delivering hundreds of new homes as part of major development schemes like Smithgate and Canalside South, offices, leisure and transport infrastructure - all offering new opportunities for residents and businesses.”

Wolverhampton West MP Warinder Juss said he hopes "Carlsberg Britvic will honour the legacy of Banks’s by supporting the workers affected, and maintain some of Banks’s heritage at the Wolverhampton site".

Carlsberg Britvic said the company's head office is now at Breakspear Park in Hemel Hempstead and that the closure of the brewery and increased hybrid working patterns have played a part in the decision to relocate staff from Marston's House - the beverage company's flagship office.

Paul Davies, CEO, said affected staff would be supported through the transition and he stressed the company is investing more than £4 million in its new depot at the new West Midlands Interchange - just 10 miles from its city site - showing its commitment to the region.