The doors to a new independent taproom on Sadler Gate officially opened to the public on Saturday 6 June.

Named The Tannery, the venue is operated by Derbyshire-based Ashover Brew Co and occupies a previously empty commercial site. The grand opening followed a VIP launch party held the previous evening on Friday 5 June.  

Ashover Brew Co is the latest business to benefit from Derby City Council’s Vacant to Vibrant scheme. A £15,000 renovation grant supported the project to bring a previously empty Cathedral Quarter unit back into active use.

The Vacant to Vibrant scheme focuses on bringing empty shop units in the Cathedral Quarter back into use and is a funded by a pot of £500,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) delivered through the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The Tannery is led by a team of passionate beer enthusiast with extensive brewing and business expertise. 

The unit has been transformed into a vibrant and trendy bar with indoor seating across three floors and outdoor seating, offering a range of beers, including Hop Forward Indian Pale Ale, rich stouts and limited-edition releases. Popular beers such as Zoo, a Mosaic and Citra-hopped pale ale known for its tropical fruit flavours, and Coffin Lane, a full-bodied stout that was previously named Regional Champion Beer of Britain, has showcased the brewery’s blend of traditional brewing techniques and modern innovation.
 

Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Culture and Tourism, said:

The successful opening of The Tannery demonstrates exactly what can be achieved when we invest in local entrepreneurs. By bringing this vacant unit back to life, Ashover Brew Co is doing more than launching a great new taproom. It creates jobs and gives people another brilliant reason to visit the city centre. Increased footfall and a more vibrant street scene benefit every trader on Sadler Gate, and we are proud to see our grant funding deliver such an immediate impact.

Andy Clarke, Managing Director of The Tannery, said:

We are really excited to be part of the Sadler Gate community in what is already a really strong independent trading area - we felt was ideal for us as an independent brewer to open our first unit here. 

We are keen to put our own twist on traditional brewery taprooms so we will be showcasing the best of our own beers along with other independent breweries in the local area and further afield. 

On top of that we have an extensive wine list, cocktails and a comprehensive charcuterie and cheese menu. Our aim is to create a venue that offers something for everyone in a relaxed and comfortable environment! We are split over three floors and have an outside area, creating a versatile venue that will offer live music and comedy through the hosting of corporate events and industry events such as Meet the Brewer!

The Tannery is the third unit that has been supported by Vacant to Vibrant to open in the city centre with more due to be completed in the upcoming months. Derby’s first fully-equipped public ceramic and pottery studio Craftcore opened in March and Flo Skatepark in the Derbion shopping centre launched in April.

Vacant to Vibrant is one of several ways in which the UKSPF supports Derby business initiatives. The East Midlands Chamber Accelerator Fund offers business advice from marketing to tailored support in running a business, for owners and employees.

Innovation Accelerator, delivered through the University of Derby, supports innovation in businesses, which may include academia time to develop a concept. 

More information about the support offered to local businesses by the Council and the UKSPF can be found on the Council’s website.