UK: Beer drinkers rally to save Ridley's Brewery, CAMRA said

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, announced on July 15 that it has launched a petition to keep Ridley's Brewery in Essex open following last week's news that Greene King Brewery had purchased the company and planned to close the 163 year old brewery by the autumn.

Over 1,300 people have signed the on-line petition in the first 24 hours calling on Greene King to reconsider its decision to close the brewery and axe a number of Ridley beer brands. The petition also objects to any future application to convert the brewery to any other use other than brewing.

Mike Benner, CAMRA's Chief Executive said, 'Ridley's has been family owned since 1842, brewing excellent local beers. Greene King should reconsider its decision and sell the brewery as a going concern.'

Benner continued, 'We have been delighted with the early response we have had to our petition to keep the Ridley's Brewery open. To have over 1,300 people get behind the campaign in the first 24 hours shows that beer drinkers are concerned about losing a brewery that is part of Britain's brewing heritage and the possibility of losing some popular beers brewed in Essex.

Benner concluded, 'I would urge everybody who enjoys good beer and appreciates Britain’s unique brewing industry to sign the petition to help us show Greene King how unpopular their plan is to close this historic brewery in Essex.'

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