Brewing Up New Jobs in Midlothian

A growing local brewing business has become the latest to benefit from a £50,000 loan – thanks to Midlothian Council.

Just seven years after it started, award-winning Stewart Brewing Limited – which employs 10 staff and a number of part-time and casual workers – is moving to larger premises at Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, Loanhead, to cope with demand.

The company currently produces premium quality, hand-crafted beers and has won several awards, including the SIBA Supreme Scottish champion in 2007 for Edinburgh Gold.

Its new bottled beer, Hollyrood, was awarded the World’s Best Pale/Golden beer at the World Beer Awards in both 2010 and 2011.

To accommodate future growth, the company needs to install higher-capacity brewing plant and equipment and upgrade packaging facilities.

This will allow Stewart Brewing to commence exporting with a portfolio of internationally-available beers and also to expand its mobile ‘Beer Wagon’ for events and ‘Brew-it-Yourself’ services.

From a standing start in 2004, Stewart Brewing is turning out 400,000 litres of beer per annum – which is forecast to reach 500,000 litres by the end of this year.

Furthermore, two additional full-time jobs will be created in the current financial year and a further five posts by 2013.

New capacity will be one million litres. Councillor Russell Imrie, Cabinet Member for Strategic Services at Midlothian Council, commented: "This company has a good plan for diversifying its product and growing the business.

"This is exactly the kind of local business which we need to help to grow with this loan scheme if we are to achieve our aim creating up to 10,000 new jobs in Midlothian by 2020."

Stewart Brewing was launched in March 2004 by Steve Stewart, who graduated in Brewing from Heriot-Watt University and then obtained the award of Master Brewer from the Institute of Brewing.

After working in the industry for eight years, he set up Stewart Brewing Ltd with his wife, Jo.

Stewart Brewing is also a member of the Midlothian Food and Drink initiative – launched recently by Midlothian Tourism Forum and Midlothian Council – to promote both inward tourism to the area, new sales opportunities and to support business development.

All business are rigorously assessed for eligibility and viability. The loan funding scheme aims to overcome ‘market failure’ – ie where commercial lenders such as a banks are unable or unwilling to provide finance to businesses.

Loan funding is provided through the East of Scotland Investment Fund, a consortium of 10 local authorities - including Midlothian Council -  which aims to provide finance and encourage increased levels of entrepreneurship and business formation.

This is achieved through provision of loan funding of up to a maximum of £50,000 for eligible local businesses.

Midlothian Council’s share of the ESIF fund is over £600,000 - which includes European Regional Development Fund support. Midlothian is one of the highest performing local authorities in the East of Scotland Investment Fund partnership, both in terms of the number of loans made and their total value.

If you think your business could benefit from a business loan, please email Jane Crawford, senior economic development officer or call her on 0131 271 3427.

More information:

Stewart Brewing.

East of Scotland Investment Fund.

Midlothian Food and Drink.

Midlothian Tourism Forum.

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