A BREWERY based in Westbrook has been forced to close its doors for good because of increasing business costs.

It is the latest Warrington business to shut up shop this year due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The Twisted Wheel Company was established in October 2019, and survived the pandemic by adapting its range of craft beers - but the cost of living crisis is now one blow too many to the family brewers.

Warrington Guardian: The Westbrook brewery could not weather the cost of living stormThe Westbrook brewery could not weather the cost of living storm (Image: Newsquest)

Set up and run by the Dearman family, Twisted Wheel Co. was based on Europa Boulevard in Westbrook, having moved to the site in 2020.

Mark and Helena Dearman set up Twisted Wheel Brew Co with their daughters Laura and Charlotte in October 2019.

Less than six months later, they lost all their customers when the pubs closed in March 2020.

However, a willingness to adapt allowed the company to survive, as they began producing cans of craft beer.

Warrington Guardian: The business had been enjoying its move to Westbrook, having managed to survive through Covid lockdownsThe business had been enjoying its move to Westbrook, having managed to survive through Covid lockdowns (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian in 2020, Laura said: "The range of beers you see now is directly as a result of lockdown.

"Before that, we were very traditional. We had a different brewer and we only did cask beers. So obviously when pubs closed in March we had no customers.

"We had to adapt and start getting the beers in cans and that’s when we decided to go for the craft beer market."

Despite this willingness to change, rising costs and falling customers numbers have given the Dearmans no choice but to turn off the taps for good at their Westbrook brewery.

Posting online, the company said: "Having made it to 2022 we had big ambitions to grow the company, however, the negative impact of Covid restrictions coupled with the ongoing cost of living crisis has made the business unviable.

"With sales falling, general consumer confidence low, and further increases in raw material costs projected for 2023, we felt it best to close the business at this time."

Warrington Guardian: The family-run brewers have had to make the hard decision to close downThe family-run brewers have had to make the hard decision to close down (Image: Newsquest)

The company added that they hoped to return in future, though at this time it is unforeseeable when that may be.

Twisted Wheel Co. added: "We would like to extend our thanks to all of our customers who have supported us through our journey.

"We hope to be back some time in the future, but for now we say goodbye."