THWAITES brewery's multi-million pound move from Blackburn to a new site in the Ribble Valley is back on.

Chief executive Rick Bailey revealed yesterday that the transfer to Sykes Holt at Mellor Brook, put ‘on hold’ in August, will now go ahead.

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The 210-year-old family company hopes to spend between £5 million and £10 million on a new brewery, offices, stables and visitor centre by the end of next year.

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Mr Bailey said the new complex will employ between 90 and 100 staff, slightly more than the current number at the 7.2 acre Star Brewery in Blackburn town centre.

Around 50 will be full-time on the new site just off the A59 producing Thwaites original and mild beers and more than dozen other craft ales exclusively for Thwaites 330 pubs, inns and hotels.

In April the company sold the majority of its 'Beer Company', including the Wainwright and Lancaster Bomber brands, to Marstons for £25.1 million.

The stables will house the current two shire horses, Wainwright and Bomber, as well as a pedigree replacement for Star who died before Christmas.

The decision to go ahead followed a partnership with Nelson's Barnfield Construction found 'significant savings' in costs.

Ribble Valley council leader Stuart Hirst and MP Nigel Evans were 'delighted' at the decision which disappointed Blackburn with Darwen council bosses.

Mr Bailey said: "We have decided to go ahead with Sykes Holt.

"This is a very exciting development and I look forward to overseeing the move.

"One of the challenges following the sale of the Beer Company was the scale had been reduced making the infrastructure costs of developing Sykes Holt prohibitive.

"I am delighted that with the help of Barnfield we have found a solution making significant savings which will allow us to proceed with our original plans.

"We always said we intended to continue to brew fine beers near Blackburn and we have done exactly that.

"We intend to use local companies for the project which we hope to complete opening at the end of 2017."

Cllr Hirst said: “We are delighted we will be home to one of the UK’s leading family-run brewers."

Ribble Valley MP and president of the Parliamentary Beer Group Nigel Evans said: "This is brilliant news."

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Phil Riley said: "I am disappointed but pleased the company will continue to provide employment opportunities for borough residents."

This week the council approved the planning application for the demolition of the Penny Street brewery.