Putting the spotlight on retailers whose business is an important part of community life

Four years ago James Roberts and his father, Phil, were producing one ale at Mobberley Brewery on Church Lane. Now, they produce from 60-70 cask and keg beers throughout the year. Their casks travel from the brewery to pubs, bars and restaurants in Cheshire and further afield.

As a result of the increase in production the brewery moved to Woodend Lane but they kept their original premises as Mobberley Tap and Shop and it has had quite an impact on the village. Not only are locals are attracted to their unique product but fans are lured from afar by its cask, keg and concept varieties of ale.

‘It has definitely generated a lot of interest in the village,’ says James. ‘I am still surprised how busy the shop is. When we decided to keep the site we had a very small customer base mainly local people but since we revitalised it as Mobberley Brewhouse Tap and Shop it has exceeded our expectations.

‘There is nothing else like it in the village, unless you go into Knutsford. We now have open tap nights on the first Tuesday of the month. We lob a load of gazebos outside and have a pizza maker who comes with wood fired pizza and we’ll serve a variety of beers. People can come here, chat about the beer and meet all the different brewers. It’s a social thing.

‘We’ll get people who live in the village strolling down and others driving from really far afield.’

The shop is open from Thursday and Friday from 12-6pm and Saturday from 11am-5pm and is manned by members of the nine-strong brewery team

‘Everything that we are currently producing is available at the shop,’ says James. ‘As soon as it is bottled, kegged or canned it’s the first place it goes to.’ w

Mobberley Tap and Shop, Dairy Farm, Church Lane, Mobberley, WA16 7RA

01565 873601 mobberleybrewhouse.co.uk