Taylor&Emmet distils expert advice to microbrewery

Leading Sheffield solicitors, Taylor&Emmet LLP, has played a pivotal role in the creation of a new microbrewery at one of the region’s most impressive country estates. 

The firm’s commercial property and corporate teams have been instrumental in the launch of Welbeck Abbey Brewery, which sees the estate near Worksop join forces with a local real ale specialist.

Peter Crawford, head of Taylor&Emmet’s corporate team, has advised on a joint venture arrangement to cover the link-up between Welbeck Abbey and Sheffield’s Kelham Island Brewery. Commercial property expert, John Hawkins, advised on the lease for the brewery’s premises in the grounds of the Nottinghamshire estate.

John said: “Following detailed negotiations to finalise the terms of the lease, I am extremely pleased that Peter Crawford and I have been able to facilitate this exciting new joint venture. I have no doubt that the experience of Kelham Island’s managing director, David Wickett, will ensure the new microbrewery plays an important role in Welbeck Abbey’s future. It has been a pleasure to work with him on this matter and we have enjoyed raising a glass of house beer to toast its future success.”

Welbeck Abbey Brewery is developing a unique range of beers to complement produce supplied by the estate’s existing specialist food outlets, which include an organic farm, bakery, cheese shop and butchery.

Mr Wickett added: “Launching this new venture has taken 18 months of planning, but John, Peter and their colleagues at Taylor&Emmet have been absolutely brilliant throughout, helping me make sense of incredibly complicated legal documents. I have called on the firm’s expertise a number of times during the last 20 years and they remain as professional and approachable as ever.”