Molson Coors to close Sharp’s Brewery in England, cutting 200 jobs across UK and Ireland
Closure follows financial pressures and broader restructuring of UK and Ireland operations.
USA – Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced plans to shut Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall, south-west England, as part of wider restructuring across its UK and Ireland operations.
The move could result in around 200 redundancies once consultations are completed.
In a statement, the brewer said it is proposing to close Sharp’s Brewery, producer of brands including Doom Bar and Offshore Pilsner, by the end of this year. Molson Coors acquired the site in 2011 for £20m (US$32.4m). The proposed closure would lead to the loss of 50 jobs at the Cornwall site and approximately 150 roles elsewhere in the business.
Simon Kerry, Managing Director of Molson Coors UK and Ireland, said: “The proposed closure of Sharp’s brewery has not been an easy decision for us to make. It has been a significant part of our UK business for 15 years, with an exceptional and committed team which takes such huge pride in their craft.
“We have invested significantly in the site and the Sharp’s brands over that time and have taken every step we can to try and avoid this outcome. However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network.”
The proposal also includes shutting a site in Cardiff, a move the company said is intended to unlock efficiencies and cost-savings to fuel its long-term growth.
The closure of the national contact centre in Cardiff has been proposed for completion by year-end, with nearly 90% of on-trade customer orders now processed via the company’s e-commerce platform, My Molson Coors.
Despite the planned brewery closure, Molson Coors said it remains committed to the Sharp’s brands and is assessing a number of alternative production routes, including brewing the brands in partnership.
Kerry added: “As a brewer with more than 200 years of experience, we understand that long-term success requires decisive action in response to market evolution.
“These proposals are founded on building on our strong foundations and reshaping our business for growth. By making difficult choices now, we can unlock greater opportunities to invest in our business, our people and our brands to help us and our customers to grow sustainably and for the long term.”
Financial Results
In its 2025 annual results, Molson Coors reported net sales of US$11.14bn, down 4.2%, or 4.8% on a constant-currency basis. In the Americas, net sales declined 5.7% to US$8.71bn, reflecting lower US volumes. Sales in EMEA and APAC rose 1.8%, aided by exchange rates, but fell 2.3% at constant currency.
The brewer posted an operating loss of US$2.34bn and a net loss of US$2.14bn after recording nearly US$4bn in impairment charges during the third quarter.
For 2026, the company expects net sales at constant currency to range between a 1% decline and 1% growth, with underlying pre-tax profits forecast to fall 15–18%.
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