A beer loving couple have turned their hobby into a full time occupation thanks to support from the council and the Business Growth Hub.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillors Surinder and Cecile Biant, popped in to toast the success of Jenny and Ken Lynch as they celebrated the official launch of their new business, the Serious Brewing Company.
Jenny, a former teacher and Ken, who works in IT, started brewing at home five years ago and their interest grew over time, with the couple eventually booking themselves onto a commercial brewing course.
Ken said: “We went to Belgium on holiday and they take their beers really seriously. They tend to be a lot stronger than many you find in the UK and they like to pair them with different foods, like you would with wine. We experimented with different recipes when we got home and when we got an inheritance we just thought, now is the time.”
With the help of Rochdale Development Agency, the couple found premises in the Fieldhouse Industrial Estate, close to where they live in Rochdale, and a loan from the Business Growth Hub helped them kit the brewery out with all the specialist equipment they need for large scale brewing.
They have now produced three specialist beers, Blue Sky, which is influenced by the Belgian farmhouse saison, a silky smooth stout called Moonlight and a Belgian influenced pale ale known as Goldrush. Shops in Littleborough, Bury and Ramsbottom have already started stocking their products and their stout has been on cask at Rochdale’s Flying Horse pub, selling out within a day.
Ken added: “The market for craft beer is really growing at the moment and different breweries tend to collaborate and share ideas, rather than being really competitive, so it’s a great industry to be in. We’ve sourced our equipment from local businesses and hope to get more local buyers as we grow. As the business expands, we’d love to take staff on too and train them up.”
Rochdale’s mayor, Councillor Surinder Biant, said: “It’s great to see this pioneering couple set up their own business in our borough. It’s certainly an interesting field to be in and I wish them every success in the future.”
The Business Growth Hub offers specialist support, including mentoring, specialist advice and access to finance, to businesses across Greater Manchester, including start-ups, which are establishing themselves for the first time, and those which are looking to grow and expand.
Rochdale Development Agency offers a wide range of business support to local companies on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council. This includes information on available property and supporting businesses with their relocation and expansion in the area.
23 Mar 2016