The National Trust has launched its first ever beer club (the National Trust Beer Club – www.nationaltrustbeerclub.co.uk), a concept developed in partnership with Northumberland based Delavals (Brewers) Ltd. With the help of financial assistance from Arch’s, Northumberland Business Growth Programme, the Company has created and now operate the Beer Club from their premises in South East Northumberland.
The inspiration for the Beer Club project was the purchase of Seaton Delaval Hall in December 2009. Thanks to a tremendous fundraising effort, Seaton Delaval Hall was saved by the National Trust for the public to enjoy. At the beginning of 2010, having spent many hours researching the brewing traditions of the Delaval family, John Gilfillan and his brother David approached the Trust with a view to working in partnership to create an ale based on the ‘Small Beer’ once brewed on the estate. Guided by the research team and supported by National Trust staff and volunteers, in October 2010 together they launched ‘Seaton Delaval Hall Pale Ale.’ Although Delavals create beers named after other regional landmarks – Lindisfarne Castle, Souter Lighthouse and Washington Old Hall – the concept of the Beer Club is what really got the brothers excited.
Delavals were awarded £90,000 from the Northumberland Business Growth Programme which will help to create 9 jobs over time. Arch, The Northumberland Development Company, in conjunction with Northumberland County Council was awarded £11.75m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to deliver the programme that provides financial support to businesses across Northumberland to encourage the creation of new sustainable jobs and the safeguarding of existing jobs.
John Gilfillan, Managing Director said: “The funding awarded by RGF is a real boost to our Company and our business plans. The North East is a hot bed of innovation and ideas and it is great to see support from regional funding bodies. The Beer Club will act as a conduit to connect small breweries around the UK to beer connoisseurs and those looking for gifts. It has the added benefit of supporting British businesses by enabling them to sell more of their produce further afield; enables consumers to have a greater product range to choose from; plus every single subscription will help raise awareness of the National Trust and generate valuable income for their charitable work with all memberships and beer sales directly helping the Trust look after special places in its care.”
Peter McIntyre, Arch Group Managing Director said: “The funding available through the growth programme is a great boost to Northumberland’s economy, providing direct financial support for investment by businesses. It offers valuable funds to assist businesses like Delavals to invest in operations and is available to help at all stages of company development, from starting up in Northumberland through to growth of already established local businesses. It’s also good to see that local historic landmarks such as Seaton Delaval Hall can still play a part in inspiring business ideas through linking past activities to the present and future.”