Diageo announces £73 million Guinness microbrewery & culture hub for London
Old Brewer’s Yard first brewed beer back in 1722 and 300 years later Guinness will be bringing the site back to life.
The investment builds on the success of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and the opening of Johnnie Walker in Edinburgh last year. Guinness sales in Great Britain grew by over 30% in the last six months and one in every 10 pints now sold in London is a Guinness.
The new 50,000 sq ft venue will create up to 150 jobs and will provide a community space within the Covent Garden area.
The new site includes:
- a world-leading microbrewery producing limited-edition beers and offering guests tours with Guinness beer specialists
- event spaces and central covered courtyard hosting events across food, drink, the arts and special cultural occasions
- a Guinness store
- the chance to try new brews, some only available at ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’.
- rotating cuisine and events at an open-fire kitchen, restaurant and 360 degrees glass rooftop space within the development.
In line with Diageo’s ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ action plan, the newest home for Guinness will be carbon-neutral by 2030.
Diageo will move into its new Global HQ at 16 Great Marlborough Street in London’s W1 in Spring 2022.
Diageo and Guinness are investing £30 million in helping pubs, bars and restaurants in Great Britain recover from the pandemic through its ‘Raising the Bar’ scheme launched in 2020. Over 30,000 outlets across the country have benefitted from the scheme to date through support such as hand-sanitiser, PPE kits, parasols and ‘snugs’ for outside occasions.