A CROWDFUNDING campaign has been started to try and help reinstate Cockermouth's brewing heritage - and save the town's future for tourism and trade.

The town recently suffered a devastating blow to its brewing heritage when Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company announced the closure of Jennings Brewery last month, much to the upset of the community.

But now Crooked River Brewing Co, a small-scale brewery run by two locals that specialises in modern styles of craft beer, has set up a crowdfunding campaign to try and 'scale up' their operations and create a future for brewing in a town that has a long heritage in the industry.

Crooked River Brewing Co was co-founded by West Cumbrian duo Phil Scholey and Alan Fitton-Crellin, who launched their company in September at the Taste Cumbria Festival in partnership with main distributor, Beer Cockermouth.

READ MORE: Former Jenning's Brewery in Cockermouth for sale after closure

Phil and Alan are now encouraging people in Cockermouth - and the wider West Cumbria area - to fight back against the closure of Jennings, through joining a crowdfunding campaign to nurture a thriving craft beer scene in West Cumbria by opening a new brewery and brewery tap in Cockermouth - as well as introduce a reputable brand of beer that Cockermouth can be recognised for and 'help keep Cockermouth on the map' as a reputable brewing town.

Founder Phil Scholey said: "The brewery bears the weight of significant heritage for our town and over a century of proud history.

"Not only did it provide much-loved beer to our community but also drew tourism to our town with its brewery tours and shop.

"The people of Cockermouth, and West Cumbria as a whole, are a resilient and proud bunch; we see so much potential in the area and want to play a part in helping it move forwards and thrive.

"Our intention is not to be the next Jennings-sized brewery, nor do we wish to replace what they have done for the town or move into their property; instead we hope to give the town a fresh start and a chance for continuation of its already established brewing history."

READ MORE: Jenning's Brewery, Cockermouth set to close in October

Costs include upgrading brewing kit plus renovation work needed to be operationally functional amongst many other costs and costs involved in renting and setting up a brewery - with whatever funds raised contributing to these initial start-up costs. 

Phil said: "We know we do not stand alone in our vision for Cockermouth, and we know there is also a growing community of us who have experienced the thriving craft beer scene across cities and towns in the UK and agree that we deserve to see the same diversity and opportunity here in West Cumbria."

The former Jennings brewery site went up for sale this week with a pricetag of £750,000.

Toby Shaw of TSR, who is handling the sale, commented: “The brewery is a landmark property, an iconic building steeped in history."

To find out more about the campaign you can visit @crookedriverbrewingco on Facebook.