Leeds brewery gets permission for Bradford move
Amity Brew Co is currently based at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, where it produces its award-winning beers and has a popular bar.
A LEEDS based brewery will move its brewing to Bradford this Summer after being granted planning permission for an empty mill unit.
Amity Brew Co is currently based at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, where it produces its award-winning beers and has a popular bar.
Earlier this year Amity revealed plans to move its brewing to Albion Mills in Greengates, saying it had outgrown its Farsley operation and needed more space to help grow the business.
A planning application to convert the large unit has this week been approved by Bradford Council, and Amity will begin fitting it out next week with a view of opening in June.
The growing company also plans to expand its taproom at Sunny Bank Mills, including adding a new kitchen.
The company says the beginning of the work will “mark a major milestone in our ambitious growth plans.”
The brewery was set up at Sunny Bank Mills during the pandemic, and has produced a variety of beers, including IPAs, sours and stouts.
The application for the unit at Albion Mills is for a brewery, storage space and a small taproom that will be used for regular brewery events.
There had been no objections to the plans, which were approved by planning officers on Thursday.
Amity plans to hold a celebration event – Welcome to the Thunderdome – on June 28.
After the plans were approved, the company said: “This move will allow Amity to expand its production capacity and meet growing demand, as the brewery outgrows its current facilities at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley.
“Known for its innovative craft beers and award-winning brews such as the 2023 SIBA Independent Beer Award-winning Waterpistol pale ale, the brewery is thrilled to relocate just three miles from its current location to a space that offers more room for both production and customer experiences.
“The new premises at Albion Mills will allow Amity to expand its operations, moving beyond the constraints of the current site at Sunny Bank Mills, where brewing can only take place when the bar is closed.
“With the new location, Amity will be able to brew around the clock, increase output, and accommodate a growing customer base. The brewery has invested in new equipment and a larger brewing space, paving the way for future expansion in trade and exports.
“Work on the new brewery begins next week, and Amity Brew Co is excited for the future as it embarks on this new chapter.”
Verity Clarke, Director of Amity Brew Co, said: “We’ve loved being part of the vibrant Leeds beer scene, but it’s clear that Bradford offers exciting new opportunities for growth.
“This is an amazing time for the move to happen, especially with Bradford being named City of Culture this year. We’re proud to be part of that energy, and we’re excited to contribute to the revitalisation of this dynamic city.
“We’ve been brewing at Sunny Bank Mills since the pandemic, and we’ve simply outgrown the space,” Clarke explained. “When we saw the building at Albion Mills, we knew it was the perfect fit. It’s an ideal location for our needs, and we’re looking forward to creating more space for our brewing team and bringing our beers to even more people.”
Amity is currently raising funds via a rewards-based crowdfund, and the campaign is now 98 per cent of the way to reaching its £50,000 target. This funding will help support the development of the Leeds taproom.
Russ Clarke, co-founder of Amity Brew Co, shared, “If we hit our crowdfund target, we’ll look to add even more investment to both the taprooms and our facilities. It’s incredible to see the support from our community, and these funds will help us create the best possible space for our customers in Leeds and Bradford.”
The relocation will also breathe new life into a former furniture storage unit that had been vacant for years.
According to Amity’s planning application to Bradford Council, the redevelopment of this long-vacant space will make a positive contribution to the local economy and support the area’s revitalisation.
A condition of the planning approval is that the taproom can only open between noon and 11pm.
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