Pub chain takes over York Brewery

A York brewing firm has been taken over by a Lancashire pub chain which plans to expand its business and create jobs.

York Brewery, which has been in business for 12 years, has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Mitchell's Hotels and Inns of Lancaster.

Mitchell's, a family-run firm founded in 1871, has 62 pubs in Lancashire and South Cumbria and plans to take the York brands across the Pennines.

York Brewery operates four pubs, three in York and one in Leeds.

Mitchell's joint managing director Andrew Barker said they wanted to introduce the York ales to customers on their side of the Pennines and were also looking for possible new pubs in Yorkshire to add to their chain.

York Brewery employs about 60 workers and Mitchell's has more than 350 staff.

Mr Barker said it was hoped to expand the workforce as the joint enterprise developed.