The first thing to stress about the potential sale of one of Gloucestershire’s best-known breweries is that it is still business as usual at Hillside Brewery.
In fact, despite all of global economic problems, nestled on the hillside near Longhope in the Forest of Dean, Hillside Brewery is having a good year.
But, the Williamson family which has worked since 2013 to transform the one-time farm into a multifaceted award-winning business, of which beer-making is just one part, is dangling the whole operation before would-be buyers.
With offers invited in the region of £2.25 million for Holly Bush Farm, the home of Hillside Brewery.
‘Despite everything 2020 has thrown at us we are about to have a good year. The innovation and development we have put into the business has certainly paid off,’ said Paul Williamson, who is the face of the family business along with father, Peter.
‘We have bookings through to 2023, weddings ready to go ahead, we have planning for holiday accommodation and camping is ready to be re-introduced too.’
Peter Williamson told SoGlos the family remained committed to Holly Bush Farm, but with numerous other businesses also thriving it needed to take a good hard look at its portfolio.
‘We are assessing all of our family businesses and this is just one option we are looking at going forward, with all opportunities being considered for the future,’ said Mr Williamson senior, who also heads-up a fast-growing county IT firm.
It is understood all permanent staff at Hillside Brewery have been made aware of the potential sale.
ASH Chartered Surveyors, which is marketing the business jointly with Move.uk.net, describes it as a ‘fantastic opportunity to acquire a mixed-use property comprising a range of refurbished commercial space, a substantial four-bedroom dwelling, holiday let and agricultural land’.
Holly Bush Farm is ‘an extended, detached farmhouse with extensive gardens and an orchard to the rear. It has three reception rooms, four double bedrooms and a master bedroom’.
The brewery, part of the farm buildings, is set within 40 acres with the main barn converted into a hospitality venue with a mezzanine level and outside terraced area.
It has a five-star food hygiene rating and has, as you might expect, a premises licence.
The estate includes a newly-built events barn, two holiday lets, a brew house, bottling room, stores, a shop and offices.
By Andrew Merrell
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