Ilkley Brewery has secured a future under new ownership. Local businessman Graham Smith acquired the company out of administration. The deal protects all 11 jobs at the West Yorkshire-based craft brewery and keeps production at its riverside site in Ilkley.

Faced with mounting financial pressures, Ilkley Brewery recently entered administration, managed by turnaround specialists Leonard Curtis. Without intervention, the brewery and its acclaimed range of beers, including its flagship Mary Jane, risked disappearing from shelves entirely.

Smith, who also serves as a director at Roosters Brewery in Harrogate, has committed to injecting fresh capital into Ilkley Brewery. The investment will support upgrades to the brewing facilities and bolster sales and marketing efforts. The company will continue operating as an independent brand but plans to forge partnerships with other regional craft brewers that share its values and vision.

Under the new ownership, Ilkley Brewery will maintain production locally while expanding its UK distribution and export network across Europe. The company’s taproom, Ilkley Tap, remains unaffected by the changes.

The management team, including Luke Raven and Jonny Moore, will remain in place to ensure continuity of service and uphold product quality. Raven, who took ownership of the brewery in 2015 through his business Half Full Beer Co, continues to lead operations alongside Moore.

Despite strong demand for its beers, Ilkley Brewery has struggled with the same challenges that have impacted many small brewers across the UK in recent years. The acquisition provides a platform for long-term growth while preserving the brewery’s heritage and community presence.