Love Lane Brewery in Liverpool calls in administrators after battling sky high energy costs and inflation – but the bar and events space remains open. Tony McDonough reports

Love Lane Brewery in Liverpool has collapsed into administration for the second time in just over a year in a blow to the city’s hospitality sector – although there are hopes a buyer can be found for the business.

It started life in a railway arch in Love Lane in the city’s north docklands in 2010. Its beer was a hit with customers and, in the words of founder Stephen Crawley, it “flew out of the door”. Its success led to a relocation to the Baltic Triangle.

Moving into a former rubber warehouse in Bridgewater Street , the business opened a boutique distillery and a bar that could accommodate large events. In August 2021 it launched a 50,000 crowdfunder to expand its events offering.

Despite enduring a torrid period during the pandemic the business emerged from COVID full of confidence. But in the past year or so the industry has been hit by soaring inflation, fuel price hikes and interest rate rises.

It has proved too much of a challenge for Love Lane Brewery and this week Paul Stanley and Jason Greenhalgh of Begbies Traynor were appointed as Joint Administrators of Love Lane Brewery Limited.

However, the bar at 62-64 Bridgewater Street in the Baltic Triangle will continue trading and all functions will take place as normal. Customers who have made bookings are currently being contacted to confirm arrangements.

A spokesperson for the brewery, which this summer saw its beer served at the 151st Open golf tournament at Royal Liverpool. Said: “Unfortunately, the challenges for Love Lane Brewery have been too great.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Love Lane Brewery Ltd has today gone into administration. This situation is made more frustrating after a considerable investment in the company in early 2023.

“Sadly, the business struggled to get back to the heights of pre-COVID sales.

“The business has made a significant impact and there are several conversations in play with potential purchasers and we would hope one of these will materialise quickly and for Love Lane products to get back on the shelves once more.

“We are all bitterly disappointed with the situation we find ourselves in but would remind people that the operation of Love Lane Brewery Bar and Kitchen will remain unaffected.

Paul Stanley, regional managing partner of Begbies Traynor, added: “This is a difficult time for the leisure and hospitality sector in general.

“Many small breweries have launched during the past decade and the craft beer industry was going strong until economic conditions dramatically  changed.

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“More recently, as the majors have introduced their own corporate versions of craft beer onto the pumps, the smaller brewers are finding it even tougher to compete and we have seen a huge rise in the number of microbrewery businesses seeking financial help.

“We have mothballed the brewery whilst a buyer is sought. We are already speaking with potential purchasers and are working proactively to make a deal happen.”