(Left to right): Alaric Neville, MD at Phipps Brewery; Andrea Smith, Franklins Solicitors; Dustin Grande, Partner at Sawford Bullard.

Northampton has been praised as ‘a fantastic place to do business’ by Alaric Neville, owner of the new £1 million Phipps Albion Brewery on Kingswell Street, after support received by Sawford Bullard and Franklins Solicitors to secure the commercial deal for the site.

The reappearance of Phipps in the town after an absence of 40 years marks the return of an iconic brand to Northampton. Phipps beer was first brewed here from 1817 to 1972 but, after the original brewery closed in 1974, the firm’s famous India Pale Ale (IPA) disappeared from the county’s bars.

To ensure the success of this challenging commercial property acquisition, Northampton-raised Alaric turned to a number of local partners to ensure the success of the deal.

He explains: “The professional partners we have sourced to bring the Phipps Albion Brewery back to life have been a Godsend. Led by Sawford Bullard and Franklins Solicitors, who navigated us through every stage of this significant investment, we couldn’t have been in better hands to successfully complete the project.

“Not only have their services been completely professional, but our journey has attracted a number of important partners and investors, who in turn have gone on to act as brand ambassadors for us.”

Andrea Smith of Franklins Solicitors, added: “We’ve been thrilled to help return the Phipps and IPA brands to their home County, and see this as an excellent addition to the ongoing investment surrounding Northampton’s Waterside Enterprise Zone development.”

The brewery’s basement is home to The King’s Well, which once provided water for royalty at Northampton Castle. Last used to brew Phipps ales in 1966, the Well will soon surge back into action with its water being planned for inclusion in a range of Phipps beers, ales, Northamptonshire Whisky and ‘Kingswell Mineral Water.’

For further details:

• Phipps-NBC: www.phipps-nbc.co.uk
• Franklins Solicitors: www.franklins-sols.co.uk
• Sawford Bullard: www.sawford-bullard.co.uk