Ewan McCann, owner of Three Kings Brewery in North Shields, has announced the closure of his business after 14 years, describing the economic conditions for the hospitality industry as "brutal." The brewery, located on Prospect Terrace near the Fish Quay, voluntarily appointed liquidators from Wallsend-based Northpoint Associates.
A Decade of Brewing Comes to an End
Founded in April 2012, Three Kings Brewery produced a range of bitters, pale ales, and stouts, including popular brands like Silver Darling and Billy Mill. The brewery was also known for its charity work. However, rising overheads and increased competition made it increasingly difficult to sustain the business.
McCann said: "We've been trying to find a way to save the brewery, but the economic situation, the constant rise in overheads, and a load of other factors has finally caught up with us. There's only so much you can absorb in costs, and there's only so much you can expect people to pay for a pint."
Industry-Wide Challenges
The closure reflects broader struggles in the UK hospitality sector. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, about two pubs close every day. McCann highlighted that the cost of making and selling beer has surged, while big pub companies and multinational brewers have tightened their grip on distribution, limiting market access for independent breweries.
"The economic situation for hospitality has been brutal. Any bar, pub, restaurant, or brewery will tell you the same thing. Costs keep going up, and they're pretty much guaranteed to keep going up," McCann added.
Supporting Staff and Creditors
The brewery employed three staff, according to its 2025 accounts. McCann emphasized that the priority now is to ensure former employees and partners are supported through the insolvency process. He said the decision to close was difficult but necessary to treat creditors and stakeholders fairly.
Three Kings' closure comes as the industry faces a wave of shutdowns, with about three independent breweries closing each week. McCann pointed to rising business rates and "astronomical" fuel prices as additional pressures, noting that raising prices to compensate is not always feasible due to customer demand.
A Changing Market
McCann observed that customers are drinking differently, with less predictable spending at bars. This shift, combined with thin profit margins even for successful breweries, has made survival challenging. The brewery had fought to stay afloat, but McCann said he could not keep risking his family's financial security.
Three Kings Brewery will be remembered for its contributions to the local beer scene and its charitable efforts, including a commemorative beer brewed in 2015 to honor 12 Tyneside men who died in World War I.
