With work on its conversion of the Crown Wharf complex in Stone well underway, Joule’s Brewery has signed up as lead sponsor for the Stone Food & Drink Festival for the next two years.
The partnership will see Joule’s support the annual not-for-profit event in return for joint branding and a strong on-site presence at the 2019 and 2020 festivals. It is something of a homecoming for the famous Joule’s trademark, the 6th oldest beer trademark in the world – the brewery was originally established in 1780 and was one of the town’s major employers up until 1974, when Bass acquired the brewery and production moved to Burton-upon-Trent.
The Joule’s brand was resurrected in 2010 as an independent brewery on a site behind an original Joule’s pub, the Red Lion, in Market Drayton, and now has 45 pubs across Staffordshire, Shropshire & Cheshire. Joule’s much-anticipated return to Stone will come to fruition in 2020 as the new Crown Wharf taphouse opens its doors as part of a wider £2m project that includes plans for a community heritage centre and theatre.
Vicky Shirley, Brand & Communications Manager at Joule’s, says:
“The Crown Wharf project is very close to our hearts as it’s effectively taking the Joule’s brand back to where it all began. We’ve been involved with the Stone Food & Drink Festival for the past four years and we’ve always been impressed with the vibrancy and atmosphere of the event. It’s a perfect opportunity for us to spread the word about what’s happening at Crown Wharf and we’re proud to be associated with a community-led event.”
Richard Stevens, Chairman of the Stone Food & Drink Festival, says:
“We’re delighted that Joule’s has chosen to come on board as lead sponsor, and we’re hugely excited about the development at Crown Wharf. It’s a fantastic project that will help bring visitors into town year-round, which is what the festival itself is all about, so the synergy is fantastic.”
The 2019 Stone Food & Drink Festival will take place on Friday 4, Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October – for more details and to sign up for e-newsletter updates, visit stonefooddrink.org.uk. To find out more about Joule’s and the Crown Wharf project, head to www.joulesbrewery.co.uk
