Managing a brewery must vie with being a Premiership footballer when it comes to dream occupations for men!

David Grant has the good fortune to have managed the Burnley brewers Moorhouse’s since 2001. The brewery, steeped in Burnley folklore, has made Pendle Witches Brew and Black Cat cask ales household names.

It was established by Burnley man William Moorhouse back in 1865 and originally made mineral water and low alcohol beers for temperance bars throughout the North West. It remained in the family until 1985 when it was bought by local businessman Bill Parkinson. In 2000 Black Cat was awarded the top CAMRA accolade of Supreme Champion Beer. But sales were down to 34 barrels a week and the brewery was faced with closure. With many years’ experience working for national breweries such as Grand Metropolitan and Wilson’s, David was the right man to reinvigorate the business. He says: “With the help of a dedicated and skilled team we rebranded the whole business and brought it out of the 1970s.” Within a year, Moorhouse’s were selling 70 to 80 barrels a week. Today they are moving 300 barrels a week with work now started on a brand new brewery, on the site of the existing brewery, where capacity will be up to 1000 barrels per week.

In today’s harsh economic climate five pubs a day are closing. This is partly due to the smoking ban and the fact that people are preferring to entertain at home. But the 6 pubs owned by Moorhouse’s are holding up well and Moorhouse’s sales to the supermarket chains such as Morrisons and Booths are booming. In fact due to demand greatly exceeding expectations, the brewery had to supplement their Christmas 09 deliveries to Booths with stock destined for the US market – the humorously named Blond Bitch. In the USA, a country renowned for the Salem witch trials, Pendle Witch and Black Cat go down a treat at Halloween and Thanksgiving.

“In recent years we have consistently broken all sales records year–on–year,” explains David. “Following years of planning, the directors have taken the bold decision to go ahead with the brewery expansion despite the current economic recession. All industry evidence points to a very positive future for well crafted cask-conditioned ale so we are extremely confident with our decision.”

2009 will see the start of a £3.5million investment in new brewing facilities, a state of the art training school and a purpose built visitors’ centre on Moorhouse’s Accrington Road site. This new development will triple current brewing capacity for the famous Pendle Witches brew to 1000 barrels a week and double the current brewery workforce.

Good service is something that David is particularly passionate about. He explains: “Landlords can’t get away with substandard service. Part of our investment is in a state of the art training facility which will be available for use to local businesses in the community. It is being built to provide everyone with more knowledge about how to dispense good service in the pub industry. Moorhouse's will provide training to our customers free of charge.”

Peter Johnson, the partner responsible for Moorhouse’s at Cassons said: “It’s great to see a business thriving in the current economic climate. We can all learn from it and be inspired by it.”

Moorhouse’s have been with Cassons since 1995. At this crucial time in the firm’s history David is more than satisfied with the service he receives from Cassons. Peter is heavily involved with the cash flow projections and financial projections for the new brewery. David and the board are confident having Cassons behind them when dealing with the financial institutions who know and respect the firm. David explained: “Cassons provide us with all the advice we need. We are not always aware of what we do need so it’s reassuring to have their full support.”

Peter concludes: “It’s a pleasure to work with David and his huge levels of energy and commitment. He really understands the industry and he is innovative and passionate about what he does. Our role is to support David’s ambitions for the business and help wherever possible. Part of that role is to challenge his thinking but it’s hard not to admire David's attitude to risk and his belief in his ability to succeed. I have every confidence in David.”