A new brewery is set to rise in Cockermouth from the ashes of the now closed Jennings.

Last November, Carlsberg Marston’s shut the Jennings brewery, bringing to an end 150 years of production and leaving a gaping hole in the town’s heritage.

But one of those who witnessed its closure was Mark Cockbain (pictured) landlord and new owner of the Bitter End pub where he intends to revive its brewing past.

Cockbain, who is also landlord of the Wheatsheaf in Lorton, which he has run for 23 years, says he has always wanted to run a brewery and now intends to start producing cask ales this summer at the Bitter End.

The previous owners of the Bitter End had started a brewery at the back of the pub in 1995, and it had become a favourite of CAMRA members.

The brewery closed in 2011 and the equipment sold, but now production is being restarted. Initial plans are for a light golden ale, a traditional bitter and a stout.

Cockbain said: “The pub currently operates five handpumps so a couple of guest beers will still be available. Future plans include bottling the beer in time for the Taste of Cumbria Festival in Cockermouth in September and supplying other pubs.”