Westgate Brewery questions and answers
Answers,
properly.
A detailed guide to the spaces, facilities, location, leasing process,
viewings and history of Westgate Brewery in Wakefield.
Start here
The short
version.
Westgate Brewery is a refurbished Victorian commercial building on
Back Lane, close to Wakefield Westgate station.
It brings together managed offices, commercial and light-industrial
units, studios and storage across five floors. The site is being
delivered through a phased refurbishment, so live availability,
completion dates, costs and final specifications must be checked with
The Boylin Group before they are relied upon.
The essentials
About Westgate Brewery
What the development is, where it is and what is happening now.
What is Westgate Brewery in Wakefield?
Westgate Brewery is a landmark Victorian industrial property being
repositioned as a mixed commercial destination. It offers managed
offices, studios, commercial and light-industrial units, flexible
premises and storage in a character building close to Wakefield
city centre.
Where is Westgate Brewery?
The property is on Back Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 9GB.
It is close to Wakefield Westgate railway station and within easy
walking distance of the city centre.
Is Westgate Brewery open yet?
The site is progressing through a phased refurbishment programme.
Current marketing indicates a late-2026 opening and says
expressions of interest and pre-opening viewings are available.
Ask the letting team for the completion and occupation date of the
particular unit you are considering.
Who is developing and marketing Westgate Brewery?
Westgate Brewery is a development by The Boylin Group. The team
handles enquiries about current availability, viewings, proposed
uses, specifications and commercial terms.
What types of commercial space are planned?
The scheme includes managed offices, office suites, studios,
retail or flexible commercial premises, light-industrial units and
storage. Suitability depends on the chosen unit, the occupier’s
operations and any required approvals.
How much accommodation is there in the building?
The property brochure describes approximately 1,100 square metres
of accommodation across five floors. Individual areas should be
checked rather than inferred from the total.
How is Westgate Brewery arranged?
The basement is The Cellar; the ground floor is The Brewhouse; the
first floor is The Grain Loft; the second floor is The Counting
House; and the third floor is The Tower. Each area has a different
role and scale.
Is Westgate Brewery suitable for small and established businesses?
Yes. The mix ranges from compact managed offices for individuals
or small teams to larger commercial units, office suites and the
self-contained Tower Suite. Availability at the required scale
must still be confirmed.
Spaces and layouts
Choosing a unit
Names, approximate areas and how the different floors are intended to
work.
What is The Cellar at Westgate Brewery?
The Cellar is the basement section and contains spaces known as
The Vault and The Cold Store. It is intended for storage and other
suitable commercial uses, subject to the current configuration and
approval of the proposed use.
What is The Brewhouse?
The Brewhouse is the ground-floor commercial area. It contains
six units, B1 to B6, with direct yard access, generous ceiling
heights, exposed brick, steel beams and the industrial character
of the former brewery.
Can Brewhouse units be combined?
The brochure says Brewhouse units can be taken individually or in
combination. Whether a particular combination remains possible
depends on availability and the stage of the refurbishment, so
discuss the required footprint early.
How large is B1, The Wine Shed?
The brochure gives B1, The Wine Shed, as approximately 1,700
square feet. Treat that figure as a guide and verify the measured
area and final layout before agreeing terms.
How large is B2, The Bottlery?
B2, The Bottlery, is shown at approximately 1,200 square feet in
the brochure. Its availability, fit-out and permissible use should
be confirmed.
How large is B3, The Malt House?
B3, The Malt House, is shown at approximately 700 square feet,
making it the smallest of the five brochure-listed Brewhouse
units.
How large is B4, The Beer Store?
B4, The Beer Store, is shown at approximately 1,000 square feet.
Confirm the final net area and specification with the letting
team.
How large is B5, The Cooperage?
B5, The Cooperage, is shown at approximately 900 square feet in
the property brochure.
What is The Grain Loft?
The Grain Loft is the first-floor managed-office community. It
contains offices G1 to G11 and is supported by shared breakout
space, kitchenette facilities and W/C provision.
What sizes are the Grain Loft offices?
Brochure areas range from compact rooms of about 88 square feet to
G1 at about 924 square feet. Other offices are shown between
roughly 92 and 283 square feet. Live availability may not include
every size.
What shared facilities does The Grain Loft have?
The Grain Loft is designed with shared breakout space, a
kitchenette and W/C facilities. Ask what is included in the charge
for the specific office and whether the final arrangement has
changed during construction.
What is The Counting House?
The Counting House is the second-floor managed-office area, with
five offices, C1 to C5, and a separate common breakout area. It is presented as a more refined office
environment for professional, finance, legal, consultancy and
similar occupiers.
What sizes are the Counting House offices?
The stated approximate areas are C1 at 72.6 m², C2 at 32.3 m²,
C3 at 19.5 m², C4 at 23.7 m² and C5 at 25.9 m². C1 is the
largest office suite, while the common breakout area is separate.
What is The Tower Suite?
The Tower Suite occupies the third floor within the building’s
tower element. It is a single self-contained premium suite of
approximately 156 m², intended for one occupier seeking a
distinctive headquarters address.
Do the website floor plans show live availability?
No. The plans reproduce the brochure layouts and explain how the
floors fit together. They do not confirm that a unit is currently
available, reserved, completed or suitable for a particular
operation.
Are the floor-plan dimensions guaranteed?
No. Areas and layouts are approximate marketing information. A
prospective occupier should verify measurements, access, services,
condition and configuration before relying on them for furniture,
staffing or operational planning.
Facilities and day-to-day use
Working at Westgate
What is included, what is shared and which points need unit-specific
confirmation.
What standard of fit-out is planned?
The scheme is promoted as high-quality modern commercial
accommodation within the retained Victorian structure. The final
specification varies by unit and should be recorded clearly in the
heads of terms or lease documentation.
Are there shared kitchens, breakout areas and toilets?
The managed-office floors are designed with shared breakout space,
kitchenette facilities and W/C provision. Ground-floor and
self-contained arrangements may differ, so check the facilities
serving the chosen unit.
Is parking available at Westgate Brewery?
Yes. On-site yard parking is advertised. The number of spaces,
allocation method, visitor arrangements and any separate charge
must be confirmed for each letting.
How many parking spaces come with each unit?
There is no universal allocation published for every unit. Tell
the letting team how many regular and visitor spaces you need so
parking can be discussed alongside the unit.
Are Wi-Fi and heating available?
Current property marketing lists Wi-Fi and central heating among
the amenities. Confirm the connection type, speed, supplier,
heating controls, coverage and whether either service is included
in the rent or service charge.
Is 24-hour access available and what security is provided?
Current marketing indicates 24-hour access and a security system.
Access permissions, alarm responsibilities, key or fob
arrangements and out-of-hours rules should be confirmed for the
relevant unit.
Do the workspaces have natural light?
Natural light is listed as a building amenity, but levels vary by
floor and unit. Inspect the space at the time of day most relevant
to your team before deciding.
Will there be outdoor or courtyard space?
The scheme imagery includes a proposed courtyard, and current
marketing refers to outdoor seating. As refurbishment is phased,
ask which outdoor areas will be completed, communal and available
when your unit is occupied.
Can commercial units receive deliveries directly?
The Brewhouse units are described as having direct yard access,
which may suit deliveries and practical operations. Vehicle size,
loading time, shared-yard rules and any access constraints must be
tested for the proposed use.
Is the building accessible and is there a lift?
The published summary used for this page does not confirm
step-free routes, lift provision or the accessibility
specification for every floor. Raise any mobility, customer or
Equality Act requirements before booking a unit and inspect the
full route in person.
Are cycle storage, showers or electric-vehicle charging available?
These facilities are not confirmed in the current brochure
summary. Ask whether they are available now, planned in a later
phase or capable of being added for a particular occupier.
Location and travel
Getting here
Rail, road, city-centre access and what to send visitors.
Which railway station is closest to Westgate Brewery?
Wakefield Westgate is the closest station. The property sits just
off Westgate on Back Lane, making rail access one of the
development’s clearest location advantages.
How far is Westgate Brewery from Wakefield Westgate station?
Current property marketing places the station at approximately
0.04 miles from the site. Walking routes and entrances can change
during works, so first-time visitors should use current
directions.
How close is Westgate Brewery to Wakefield city centre?
The Boylin Group describes the site as about 0.5 miles from
Wakefield city centre and within easy walking distance of its
services and amenities.
How far is the property from the motorway network?
The Boylin Group lists the motorway distance at approximately
three miles. Journey times depend on route and traffic, so check
the actual trip from your main customer, supplier or staff
locations.
What address should visitors use?
Use Westgate Brewery, Back Lane, Wakefield, WF2 9GB. During phased
works, confirm the active entrance, parking instructions and
meeting point with the occupier or letting team before travelling.
Is the site convenient for clients and employees without a car?
Yes. Its position near Wakefield Westgate station and the city
centre makes it practical for rail users and people travelling on
foot. Individual commuting patterns should still be checked.
Leasing, costs and use
The commercial details
What is negotiable, what is not yet published and what to ask for in
writing.
Which units are currently available?
Availability changes as units are completed, reserved or combined.
The plans on this website are not a live availability schedule;
contact The Boylin Group for the current list and expected
completion dates.
How much is the rent at Westgate Brewery?
Rent is advertised as price on application. It will depend on the
unit, size, specification, lease structure and agreed works.
Request a written cost summary for the exact space you are
considering.
Are flexible lease terms available?
Yes. The property is marketed with flexible terms and rent
obligations described as negotiable. Flexibility is not identical
for every unit, so explain your preferred term, break options and
start date.
What lease length is available?
No single standard lease length is published. The appropriate term
is discussed with the agent and should be set out in the heads of
terms, together with any break clause, review pattern and notice
requirements.
Is there a service charge?
A universal service-charge figure is not published. Ask for the
current budget, what it covers, the allocation basis, any cap and
how shared utilities or internet are treated.
Are business rates included?
Do not assume business rates are included. Ask for the unit’s
rating position and obtain independent advice on liability and any
relief for which your business may qualify.
Will a deposit, guarantee, VAT or legal costs apply?
These points depend on the agreed transaction and tenant covenant.
Ask that the deposit, any guarantor requirement, VAT treatment,
legal costs, insurance contribution and payment schedule are all
stated in the heads of terms.
What business uses may be suitable?
The brochure refers to office use under E(g)(i), light industrial
use under E(g)(iii) and B8 storage. Current marketing also
describes flexible commercial possibilities. Every proposed use
must be checked against planning, lease, building and operational
constraints.
Could a café, shop, studio, clinic or customer-facing business
operate here?
Some current marketing mentions retail, café, dental, studio and
mixed-use possibilities, but that does not approve every activity
in every unit. Discuss hours, extraction, noise, waste,
deliveries, customer numbers, accessibility and planning
requirements before relying on suitability.
Can a unit be customised during the refurbishment?
Current marketing says early occupiers may be able to tailor space
during the build. What remains possible depends on timing,
approvals, cost and the building’s heritage fabric, so provide a
written requirements schedule as early as possible.
Viewings and next steps
Seeing the space
How to arrange a visit and make the conversation useful.
How do I arrange a viewing of Westgate Brewery?
Email ab@boylin.co.uk or call 01226 321800. State that the enquiry
concerns Westgate Brewery and include your preferred dates, team
size, intended use and approximate space requirement.
Are pre-opening viewings available?
Current marketing says expressions of interest and pre-opening
viewings are available. Because the site is undergoing works,
access may be controlled and some areas may not yet show their
finished condition.
What information should I provide before a viewing?
Provide your business activity, staff and visitor numbers,
preferred floor area, parking and loading needs, access
requirements, desired lease start, budget range and any unusual
power, ventilation, water, signage or fit-out requirements.
What should I check during the viewing?
Check the exact boundaries and measurements, access route,
daylight, acoustics, mobile signal, power and data, heating, W/C
and kitchen facilities, parking, deliveries, fire strategy,
signage, accessibility and the condition in which the unit will be
handed over.
Can I bring a surveyor, designer or contractor?
Ask the letting team in advance. Professional input is sensible
where your decision depends on fit-out, services, accessibility,
structural loads, extraction, specialist equipment or measurement
accuracy.
History and identity
The building behind the business
Why the place looks and feels different from a conventional office
scheme.
Why is the development called Westgate Brewery?
The building was the home of H.B. Clark & Co. and formed part
of Wakefield’s brewing and drinks-distribution history. The new
commercial scheme retains the brewery identity in its name, spaces
and design language.
When was H.B. Clark & Co. established?
Published records place the establishment of H.B. Clark & Co.
around 1905–1906. The website uses 1905–06 where sources differ
slightly.
When did brewing end at Westgate Brewery?
Brewing first ceased in 1960, restarted after a new brewhouse was
developed in 1982, and production ultimately ended in 2017. The
property is now entering a new commercial phase.
Which historic features are being retained?
The scheme is designed around the building’s Victorian brickwork,
generous ceiling heights, exposed structure and industrial
details. The aim is to preserve the identity of the former brewery
while introducing practical modern workspace.
Still need an answer?
Ask about your
exact requirement.
Tell the team what your business does, how much space you need and
when you want to move. They can confirm the current options rather
than make you reverse-engineer a floor plan like a Victorian
detective.