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25 January 2001
For over 200 years, the Ind Coope Brewery in the heart of Romford, Essex employed up to 5,000 people at any one time. The historic building has been lying empty since November 1997, and it is now having new life breathed into it as Copthorn Homes converts the brownfield site into new homes.
The development has been named Brewers Gate, which is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the southeast of England, as 128 new and converted apartments are being sold on the open market by Copthorn Homes. A further 44 newly built homes will be offered by Countryside in Partnership through the London and Quadrant Housing Trust. The rest of the 17-acre site will be used for a new Sainsbury's super store, a 16-screen multiplex cinema, a health club, leisure club with swimming pool and bowling alley, shops, pubs and restaurants. A brewery museum on the ground floor of the old building will also be opened, illustrating the work that used to be carried out in the brewery.
Thirty-seven of the new Copthorn Homes apartments at Brewers Gate are in the original Ind Coope brewery building, where double height ceilings and traditional large windows will be retained. In contrast to the historic external appearance of the building, the apartments are typical of Copthorn's highly innovative, contemporary designs. The new apartments face the old brewery buildings to create a courtyard and boast fashionable design features such as mezzanine floors and glass-block walls.
Managing Director, Tony Travers, commented, "This is one of the most exciting schemes within the M25 where history is coming together with ultra-modern development. This not only relates to the architecture; we have found a lady who used to work in the old Brewery who will soon be working in the new Sainsbury's."
More former employees of the Romford Brewery came together recently when Copthorn Homes held a luncheon for them at a nearby golf club. Stories of their work at the brewery were recounted and tales were told of canteen walk-outs, office gossip and how to get hold of "the odd drop of beer on the quiet".
The mood is a positive one, and local residents and former brewery workers have endorsed the new redevelopment as a positive move that will retain the historic brewery building and its memories as well as providing quality new homes and employment for the people of Romford.
Brewers Gate is located in the town centre of Romford, within the M25. The A12 is close by, providing a direct link into central London and the M11. Romford station is on the main line to London's Liverpool Street, (journey time approx. 20 minutes).
Apartments are available for sale with one-bedroom apartments from £105,000. Two-bedroom apartments starting at £155,000 and three-bedroom apartments from £165,000.
For sales enquiries please telephone Copthorn Homes on: 01708 767 086 or contact Copthorn Homes by email at: brewersgate@copthornhomes.co.uk or visit their website at: www.copthornhomes.co.uk.
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Information correct as at 25/01/2001