The story of Westgate Brewery
Built on
history.
More than a century of brewing, trade and enterprise—now beginning a
new chapter as a distinctive home for modern business.
120+
Years of working history on Westgate
Archive photograph · Westgate Brewery, Wakefield
A Wakefield landmark
Industry shaped the building.
Enterprise keeps it alive.
Westgate Brewery began life as the home of H.B. Clark & Co., part
of Wakefield’s long tradition of independent brewing and drinks
distribution.
Across more than a century, the site has adapted repeatedly to the
needs of local commerce. Its brick elevations, practical industrial
layout and unmistakable character are the product of a building
designed to work.
Today, The Boylin Group is giving the site a new commercial
purpose—creating flexible offices, studios, commercial units and
storage while preserving the identity that makes Westgate Brewery
distinctive.
Through the years
A working site
never stands still.
Westgate Brewery has changed with the businesses, people and
industries around it—without losing the character built into its
walls.
The beginning
H.B. Clark & Co. is established.
Published records place the founding of H.B. Clark & Co.
around 1905–1906. The business brewed for Wakefield’s free trade,
beginning the site’s long association with beer, distribution and
independent commerce.
A changing trade
Brewing pauses.
Brewing ceased in 1960. H.B. Clark continued as a drinks
distributor, keeping Westgate commercially active even while
production itself was absent.
The return
The brewhouse comes back to life.
Brewing recommenced in July 1982 following the development of a
new brewhouse, opening another substantial period of production at
Westgate.
Another transition
On-site brewing ends.
After decades of renewed production, brewing at the Wakefield site
ceased around 2017. The buildings remained a visible part of the
city’s brewing and commercial history.
The next chapter
A landmark built for business again.
The Boylin Group is refurbishing the former brewery in phases to
create practical, flexible commercial workspace while retaining
the heritage and industrial character of the site.
More than brick and mortar
A place made by people.
The brewery’s story is not only one of buildings and machinery. It is
the story of the people who brewed, bottled, distributed and worked
here.
That working spirit matters to the next phase of Westgate. The
ambition is not to turn the site into a museum, but to keep it useful:
a place where independent businesses can make, build and grow.
Past meets future
Preserve the story.
Change the purpose.
Retain the character
Protect the industrial identity, original fabric and sense of place
that distinguish Westgate from newly built commercial space.
Make it practical
Adapt the buildings into flexible spaces for offices, studios,
storage, light industry and a varied community of businesses.
Give it another century
Put productive commercial activity back at the centre of the site so
its history continues in the present tense.
The next chapter
Character cannot be manufactured.
Modern commercial spaces are being introduced within a setting that
already has identity—giving occupiers something different from a
conventional office block or anonymous business park.
A working heritage
History isn’t
finished here.
Westgate Brewery is becoming a new home for businesses that value
character, flexibility and a distinctive Wakefield address.