The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) has confirmed there is to be no reprieve for a much-loved micro-brewery at Pierrepont Farm in Frensham despite a huge public outcry – with a replacement tenant already signed up.

More than 4,200 people have signed a petition to date calling on the CRT to reverse its decision to evict Craft Brews from the 200-acre dairy farm and rural enterprise centre – with best-selling author Rosamund Lupton the latest to pledge her support to the micro-brewery this week (see this week’s Herald letters page, Page 14).

But after a meeting of CRT trustees, the charity’s CEO Danielle Dewe issued a statement saying it had “confirmed to Craft Brews UK that its lease at Pierrepont Farm is not being renewed and it has been agreed that the business will leave the site by the end of November”.

The statement, published in full below, continued: “Following private discussions with Craft Brews owner Joe Wood, we concluded that our original decision was indeed the correct one for the long-term interests of Pierrepont Farm, and that a fresh start was necessary.”

Craft Brews owner Mr Wood was approached by the Herald for a comment, but had not responded as the paper went to press.

The CRT also confirmed this week that a new tenant has already been lined up to take the Craft Brews unit.

Its statement added: “We are delighted that a local business, whose owners are rooted in the community, will be taking over the lease for the site and setting up a new craft brewery.

“Having met the owners and heard their plans to invest in the site, we are confident they will provide an enhanced offering to the community throughout the week, including locally-sourced food, and will continue to host popular events for residents and visitors.”

The CRT declined to reveal the identity of the new tenant, but added it was “looking forward to working in partnership with them as we develop our long-term vision for Pierrepont Farm, putting conservation, education and wildlife-friendly farming at the heart of a living, working countryside”.

The charity said it “understands the frustration this decision has and will continue to create among some members of the community”.

But its statement added: “We have also been perturbed and disappointed by the aggressive tone and manner of some voices on this matter.”

Local people have leapt to the defence of tenants at Pierrepont Farm in Frensham amid reports of wholesale changes and rent hikes being imposed by the CRT.

The Herald has received many letters over recent weeks condemning farm owner the CRT’s decision to terminate the lease of the Craft Brews brewery and taproom and increase the rent of other tenants.

Pierrepont Farm is a popular venue for many cyclists riding in the area, and last week Cycling UK confirmed following the “sad news” of Craft Brews’ closure, it is “carefully considering” diverting the King Alfred’s Way long-distance cycling way to bypass Pierrepont Farm.

The farm was previously owned by Jo Reader, who died in December 2018, and gifted to the CRT on the understanding that it retain a jersey herd at the farm.

The CRT statement in full:

The Countryside Regeneration Trust has confirmed to Craft Brews UK that its lease at Pierrepont Farm is not being renewed and it has been agreed that the business will leave the site by the end of November.

Following private discussions with Craft Brews owner, Joe Wood, we concluded that our original decision was indeed the correct one for the long-term interests of Pierrepont Farm, and that a fresh start was necessary.

We recognise the strong feelings among the community and realise this decision will be disappointing to some, but it’s important to stress that our overall aims for Pierrepont Farm, and all the businesses within its framework, have and always will include a strong community bias.

This is why we are delighted that a local business, whose owners are rooted in the community, will be taking over the lease for the site and setting up a new craft brewery.

Having met the owners and heard their plans to invest in the site, we are confident that they will provide an enhanced offering to the community throughout the week, including locally sourced food, and will continue to host popular events for residents and visitors.

We are looking forward to working in partnership with them as we develop our long-term vision for Pierrepont Farm, putting conservation, education, and wildlife-friendly farming at the heart of a living, working countryside.

We understand the frustration this decision has and will continue to create among some members of the community, but we have also been perturbed and disappointed by the aggressive tone and manner of some voices on this matter. It’s important to stress that our decision has not been taken lightly, or without very careful thought and consideration for our ongoing aims as a charity.

We have also read some completely inaccurate claims on social media. We wish to reiterate our final decision has not been made for additional financial gain and, wherever possible, we have answered the members of the community who contacted us directly

It’s especially poignant while the COP27 talks are ongoing in Egypt that our core objectives are not lost and that we continue to champion biodiversity and the countryside in general.

Danielle Dewe, CEO