Diageo to establish £73 million Guinness microbrewery & culture hub in London
‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’ is set to open in London’s Covent Garden in Autumn 2023, located on a historic brewing site. The development will create 150 jobs and be a destination for all to enjoy. Old Brewer’s Yard first brewed beer back in 1722. 300 years later, Guinness is bringing the site back to life.
The investment to create ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’, builds on the success of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and the opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh in 2021. It demonstrates Diageo’s confidence in London and the UK as a go-to destination for tourists and its commitment to the hospitality sector, which employs almost 2 million people in the UK1. Guinness sales in Great Britain have grown by over 30% in the last six months2 and 1 in every 10 pints sold in London is now a Guinness3.
The new 50,000 sq ft venue will create up to 150 jobs for the Capital and provide a community space within the Covent Garden area. The site will also become the Southern UK hub of Diageo’s award-winning Learning for Life Bartending and Hospitality Programme, with an ambition for over 100 London based students to graduate from the ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’ programme annually. A proportion of the employment opportunities are to be ring-fenced for Learning for Life graduates.
“We’re excited to create a new home for Guinness in the heart of London. ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’ will strengthen London’s hospitality community and be a must-visit destination for thousands of visitors to enjoy,” commented Dayalan Nayager, Managing Director of Diageo Great Britain.
The plans for the new site include:
- A world-leading microbrewerywhich will produce limited edition beers and offer guests tours with Guinness beer specialists to taste/enjoy and learn about the iconic stout, its storied history and ambitions for the future.
- Event spaces and central covered courtyardhosting events across food, drink, the arts and special cultural occasions, which will be open for use by the local community.
- Guinness storeselling rare items via collaborations and partnerships bespoke to the London experience.
- Chance to try exciting new brews, some only available at ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’.
- Rotating cuisine and events at a stunning 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 and accessible to all.
1 https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/articles/coronavirusanditsimpactonukhospitality/january2020tojune2021
2 Diageo PLC Interim Results, 27.01.2022
3 CGA 04.12.2021 – L12 & 52 weeks
