The property developer spearheading the transformation of the historic Wadworth Brewery site in Devizes has shared its schedule for the project.
Demolition and decontamination work at Brewery Wharf is set to kick off in early August, with a timeline of three to four months. Backhouse, the developer, then intends to break ground on the first of the 102 residential units in November, aiming to have the initial homes ready for occupancy by summer 2027.
The firm confirmed the iconic listed brewery building, which first opened its doors in 1885 and is a staple in the beer brand's imagery, will be preserved. Trevor Osborne Limited, another developer, is seeking planning permission to repurpose the building into 22 dwellings.
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However, the warehouses, stables, and other industrial structures that once housed Wadworth's now obsolete brewing apparatus will be demolished.
The redevelopment will start from the front of the site, facing New Park Street, where a block of flats and a ground floor retail unit – potentially a coffee shop or convenience store – will replace Wadworth's former brewery shop, known for selling canned and bottled beers along with merchandise.
The development will then progress towards the canal, featuring one- and two-bedroom studio flats and three- and four-bedroom houses, culminating in stylish warehouse-style homes complete with balconies and roof terraces offering canal views.
The plan also includes public space and 130 parking spots, with £30,000 earmarked for a piece of public art.
On Thursday, July 31, Backhouse CEO Ian Jones and Wadworth managing director Toby Bartholomew met Devizes Town Councillors Iain Wallis and Maria Hoult, as well as Wiltshire Councillors Tamara Reay and Paul Oatway. The meeting was to update them on the redevelopment scheme of the former Wadworth Brewery, for which planning permission was granted by Wiltshire Council in February.
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Councillor Wallis, a native of Devizes, said: "As a Devizes native I welcome this sympathetic redevelopment of the former Wadworth Brewery which will enhance the main gateway to our town and ensure the site continues to support the needs of our community." He added that the new neighbourhood would integrate into its canal-side setting and have a "unique sense of place".
Councillor Reay also voiced her enthusiasm for the project, saying: "This marks an exciting new chapter for Devizes." She noted that the transformation of the former brewery site would provide homes that respond to local needs while preserving and enhancing the historic and environmental character of the area.
Following the briefing, a public drop-in event was held at the brewery's Bear Hotel on Saturday, August 2, which saw a good turnout. Ian Jones said: "As a Wiltshire-based business, it is a privilege to work on such an important site in Devizes, honouring its history while also delivering a revitalised future."
The Northgate Brewery, owned by Wadworth, brewed beer from 1885 until 2023. After that, the company opened its state-of-the-art brewing facility at Folly Road, just a five-minute drive across town.