Newby Wyke Brewery opened eight years ago at the rear of the Willoughby Arms pub in Little Bytham, making a variety of beers and ales sold around the country and in Grantham pubs including Nobody Inn and The Beehive.

Owners Christine and Robert March say they are running a successful, profitable business but face an uncertain future after the new landlords of the pub served notice on their tenants to leave by July 31.

Robert said: "You would think having a brewery on the premises would be every pubs dream but they are kicking us out.

"I used my redundancy money from Christian Salvesen to start this business 10 years ago and I've sold everything I own to make it work."

Newby Wyke was set up originally in Grantham in the couple's garage before they relocated to the current premises on the request the then landlord.

However, an initial planning application entered by the landlord has now been accepted to turn the brewery into five en-suite bedrooms for overnight accommodation.

Christine and Robert are angry with council planners for accepting the proposals.

Robert said: "Businesses are going bust and yet the district council are granting planning permission to possibly close us down.

"If we can't get funding to move we will have to close down. It's going to cost a lot of money to move. We'll have to stop production, get the other place sorted out and then there's the state of the country at the moment.

"We just have to hope we have got a nice bank manager."

The owners of the Willoughby Arms say they regret moving the brewery on but need to expand the business.

Linda Hulme, landlady at the Willoughby Arms, said: "Overnight bedrooms are the main growth point of our business and in a difficult climate we want to take advantage of a growth area. There are plenty of times where we have not had enough bed and breakfast rooms so the plans have a lot of support in the village.

"It's sad and regrettable that another business has been affected by the plans but we have to look after our business. It is not personal, just about growing our business."


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