More than 150 years after first opening its doors, historic Suffolk brewer Adnams has revealed the date one of its long-running shops will shut for good as part of a major cost-cutting drive. The brewery has announced its store on Unthank Road, Norwich, will close permanently on May 31 following a review of its retail estate amid mounting financial pressures.
The closure comes as the company battles “sustained cost pressures, wider operational challenges and changes in customer shopping habits”, according to hospitality and retail director Nick Attfield. The Norwich branch, located at 109 Unthank Road, currently sells the brewery’s award-winning beers, wines and spirits alongside gifts and homeware. Adnams, founded by George and Ernest Adnams in 1872 in Southwold, Suffolk, is one of Britain’s best-known regional brewers and is behind popular drinks including Ghost Ship Pale Ale, Broadside, Sole Star and Southwold Bitter. Annual production is around 85,000 barrels.
The company has faced a difficult trading period in recent years, with bosses recently pledging operational changes after warning it had failed to return to a “sustainable footing”. The brewery cut its debts from £15.3million to £9.2million in 2025, although revenues fell by £4.3million to £63.7million. Despite the drop in sales, Adnams returned to an operating profit of £470,000 after losses of £1.1million in 2024 and £2.5million in 2023, helped by the sale of several sites as part of a major restructuring programme.
Five Adnams stores across the UK are now set to close before June, including branches in Hadleigh, Frinton-on-Sea, Saffron Walden and Stamford. It follows the closure of its Westlegate branch in Norwich city centre last September and the closure of the Unthank Road store officially marks the end of the brewery’s high street presence in the eastern England city.
The company said affected staff are being supported through a consultation process, while remaining stores – including sites in Southwold, Aldeburgh and Holt – will continue trading.
In a statement, Mr Attfield said: “Following a review of Adnams’ retail estate, we have taken the difficult decision to close five stores at the end of May 2026; these being Frinton-on-Sea, Hadleigh, Norwich, Saffron Walden and Stamford.
“This comes in the light of a period of sustained cost pressures, wider operational challenges and changes in customer shopping habits, which have affected the long-term viability of these locations,” he added, according to Norwich Evening News.
“We recognise this will be upsetting news for colleagues and customers, and our immediate priority is to support those employees affected through a full consultation process.
“We are hugely grateful for the dedication and professionalism shown by our store teams, who have represented Adnams with pride and commitment.”
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