Beer Dock in Nantwich to close, owners announce

The owners of Beer Dock in Nantwich say they are having to close the bar after three years in the town.

Beer Dock opened on Swine Market in July 2016, but will close for the final time this Sunday (July 7).

The owners say they were forced to leave after the unit was leased to another business.

It’s believed it will be turned into another barbers/hairdressers, but this has not been confirmed.

Beer Dock bosses say they had signed a flexible lease in 2018, with a break clause, but were told at the start of 2019 it had now been leased to an out of town business.

Founder of Beer Dock Sam Mcgarrigle said on social media: “We’ve been in Nantwich for three years and we’ve loved every minute of it.

“We have some great staff and some incredible customers who we’ve met and shared stories and beers over this time.

“The people we’ve met and the memories we’ve made together will stay with us forever, and the stories we’ve heard will be passed on over the beers we will have in the future.

“Due to the state of the retail High Street currently we wanted some flexibility and a shorter term lease, we wanted to make sure we had a sustainable retail model.

“To our surprise the property was listed on a local agents website and up for let at a significantly higher rent than we agreed in our lease for the next three years.

“There were some viewings of the property by various trades but we were in the understanding that we still held a lease on the property for the next three years, albeit with a break clause.

“At the start of this year we were informed by the landlord that he was serving notice on us and had let the unit out at a higher rent to a new barber business from out of the area on an eight-year lease.”

Currently there are around 19 barber/hairdresser shops in Nantwich.

“I’m sure that all of them are thrilled that an independent local business is being kicked out to add to the already high levels of competition,” added Sam.

“We thought we breathed a breath of fresh air into Nantwich, opening the first genuine craft beer bar in the town, and we’ve loved every moment.

“We offered something different to the people of Nantwich and fitted in with the wonderful independent foody vibe this beautiful town has.

“I went to school in Nantwich and I’ve spent years shopping, eating and drinking in Nantwich so it was a terrific feeling knowing that I was giving back to the town after all this time.

“After winning consecutive awards for two years at the Nantwich Food Awards, we felt like we belonged in this quaint market town, but instead we’re being forced out.

“We’ve done everything locally, collaborated with independent Nantwich business, helped local charities in Nantwich, most recently the Nantwich Lions Duck Race.

“The vibe we’ve had from Nantwich has been unforgettable and we’re sad we are being forced out.

“We’re open to look at other properties in Nantwich so we can nail our flag to the mast once again in our little town, so if you know any landlords that would want to help us grow our great community please feel free to get in touch.”

BeerDock High Street in Crewe is set to open on Saturday July 13 so staff from Nantwich will move there.

The Crewe branch on Nantwich Road also remains open along with the firm’s shops in Leek and Macclesfield.