Coxhoe brewery is expanding to meet demand
ONE of the North East’s newest breweries is expanding its premises and increasing its workforce, just six months after opening its doors.
Since launching in autumn, Sonnet 43 Brew House, in Coxhoe, County Durham, has exceeded initial estimations for sales of its craft ales and beers – and this week bosses recruited a new apprentice to help satisfy this growing demand.
Chelsea Thomas, from Frosterley, Weardale, joins the firm as sales and administration apprentice, and will work to generate new business and fulfil orders for more than 100 pubs across the region which currently stock Sonnet 43 products.
The 20-year-old said: “I’ve been working part-time in bars since I was 18 and that’s given me a good idea of what people want.
“I know that expectations are high among pub landlords and their customers, and I’m excited about helping Sonnet 43 to exceed these expectations as much as possible.” Chelsea, who was recently made redundant from a full-time office job in Barnard Castle, will now work alongside former Sonnet 43 interns Grace Noon and Alan Brown.
The pair were recently promoted to permanent roles, and Chelsea will assist them in all aspects of sales, marketing and logistics.
All three staff members will be based at Sonnet 43’s newly expanded administrative offices, which have been relocated from the brewery itself to the first floor of the adjoining Kicking Cuddy pub. Mark Hird, owner of Sonnet 43 Brew House, said: “We always knew that the craft beer market offered great opportunities across the UK, but have been overwhelmed by the positive response Sonnet 43 Brew House has generated in such a short space of time.
“The expansion of our administrative team and its offices was essential to keep up with ever-increasing demand, and I fully expect further growth will become necessary in the months ahead.”
News story found at www.nebusiness.co.uk
