UK brewery enters administration as survival crisis mounts

Redemption Brewing Company, based in north London, has appointed FRP Advisory as administrators and is continuing to trade while a buyer is sought.

The brewery, established in 2010, has been credited with helping to revive the capital’s craft beer scene and was the first commercial brewery to open in Tottenham in nearly a century.

A statement from FRP, seen by CityAM , said: “Rising duty rates in recent years have placed a particular burden on independent brewers, who face a more challenging cost environment than larger national and international competitors.”

A pint in the square mile has now hit £8…I take it all back…the big man needs to hike NOW!

— Michael Brown (@MrMBrown) June 2, 2026

Redemption Brewing became part of a community effort in 2013 to save The Antwerp Arms, the oldest working pub in N17 and a longstanding customer.

David Lammy, the local MP and now Deputy Prime Minister, supported the campaign to preserve the pub after corporate developers threatened to replace it with housing.

HMRC filed a winding-up petition against Redemption in January, with a court hearing scheduled for February 2026.

The company’s financial difficulties have deepened, with its deficit rising from £632,151 in 2023 to £705,111 in 2024, alongside a net loss of £72,960 for the latest financial year.

Redemption’s signature products include Hopspur, a premium bitter named in tribute to Tottenham Hotspur, and Big Chief, a New World IPA.

The brewery supplies around 75 pubs across London and has long been regarded as a pillar of the Tottenham community.

The wider independent brewing industry is under strain, with the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) describing a “survival crisis” that has seen around three brewers a week close their doors.

Brewers are contending with rising alcohol duty, VAT, employment taxes, business rates, and corporation tax, alongside higher operating costs.

These pressures have led many pubs to shut down or switch to more affordable products from global brewing companies instead of independent suppliers.

Business rate hikes introduced late last year significantly increased costs for thousands of pub landlords, prompting widespread backlash.

UK’s brewing sector facing pressures

Redemption Brewing’s fall into administration highlights the fragile state of the UK’s independent brewing sector, especially in London, where high costs and tax pressures continue to threaten smaller producers.

FRP Advisory has said it is actively seeking a buyer for the business, and the brewery remains operational during the administration process.

The outcome will depend on whether a suitable investor can be secured to keep the business running and protect the jobs and community heritage attached to the brand.

Are you worried about your local pub? Let us know in the comments