{"id":348,"date":"2026-08-11T15:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=348"},"modified":"2026-10-27T11:52:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T11:52:46","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=348","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"history-top\" class=\"wb-page-root wb-history-page\" role=\"main\">\n<header class=\"wb-site-header\" aria-label=\"Westgate Brewery navigation\">\n<div class=\"wb-header-wrap wb-site-header-inner\"><a class=\"wb-wordmark\" href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/\" aria-label=\"Westgate Brewery homepage\"><strong>WESTGATE BREWERY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"wb-nav\" aria-label=\"Main navigation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330\">Home<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#spaces\">Spaces<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#gallery\">Gallery<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=348\" aria-current=\"page\">History<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=487\">News<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=501\">Our Community<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=346\">FAQ<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=389\">Location<\/a><\/nav>\n<p><a class=\"wb-header-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#enquire\">Arrange a viewing<\/a><\/p>\n<details class=\"wb-mobile-menu\">\n<summary aria-label=\"Open site navigation\">Menu<\/summary>\n<div class=\"wb-mobile-menu-panel\"><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330\">Home<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#spaces\">Spaces<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#gallery\">Gallery<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=348\" aria-current=\"page\">History<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=487\">News<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=501\">Our Community<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=346\">FAQ<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=389\">Location<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#enquire\">Arrange a viewing<\/a><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section class=\"wb-history-hero\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-title\">\n<figure class=\"wb-history-hero-media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/westgate-05-archive-exterior.jpg\" alt=\"Historic view of Westgate Brewery and the surrounding Wakefield streetscape\" width=\"1477\" height=\"1065\" \/><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wb-history-hero-shade\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap wb-history-hero-inner\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-hero-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow wb-history-eyebrow--light\">The story of Westgate Brewery<\/p>\n<h1 id=\"wb-history-title\">Built on<br \/>\nhistory.<\/h1>\n<p class=\"wb-history-hero-lede\">More than a century of brewing, trade and enterprise\u2014now beginning a<br \/>\nnew chapter as a distinctive home for modern business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-hero-stat\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"More than 120 years of history\"><strong>120+<\/strong><br \/>\nYears of working history on Westgate<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wb-history-photo-note\">Archive photograph \u00b7 Westgate Brewery, Wakefield<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"wb-history-factbar\" aria-label=\"History at a glance\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap wb-history-factbar-grid\">\n<div><strong>1905\u201306<\/strong>H.B. Clark &amp; Co. established<\/div>\n<div><strong>1982<\/strong>Brewing returns to Westgate<\/div>\n<div><strong>Today<\/strong>A new commercial chapter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"wb-history-intro\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-intro-title\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap wb-history-intro-grid\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-intro-heading\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow\">A Wakefield landmark<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wb-history-intro-title\">Industry shaped the building.<br \/>\nEnterprise keeps it alive.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-intro-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-lead\">Westgate Brewery began life as the home of H.B. Clark &amp; Co., part of Wakefield&#8217;s long tradition of independent brewing and drinks distribution.<\/p>\n<p>Across more than a century, the site has adapted repeatedly to the<br \/>\nneeds of local commerce. Its brick elevations, practical industrial<br \/>\nlayout and unmistakable character are the product of a building<br \/>\ndesigned to work.<\/p>\n<p>Today, The Boylin Group is giving the site a new commercial<br \/>\npurpose\u2014creating flexible offices, studios, commercial units and<br \/>\nstorage while preserving the identity that makes Westgate Brewery<br \/>\ndistinctive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"wb-history-ribbon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-ribbon-track\">H.B. Clark &amp; Co.<i><\/i> Wakefield<i><\/i>Brewing<i><\/i> Westgate<i><\/i>Industry<i><\/i>Reinvention<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"wb-history-timeline-section\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-timeline-title\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap\">\n<header class=\"wb-history-section-head\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow\">Through the years<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wb-history-timeline-title\">A working site<br \/>\nnever stands still.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>Westgate Brewery has changed with the businesses, people and industries around it\u2014without losing the character built into its walls.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"wb-history-timeline\">\n<article class=\"wb-history-event\"><time datetime=\"1905\">1905\u201306<\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-line\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-event-label\">The beginning<\/p>\n<h3>H.B. Clark &amp; Co. is established.<\/h3>\n<p>Published records place the founding of H.B. Clark &amp; Co.<br \/>\naround 1905\u20131906. The business brewed for Wakefield&#8217;s free trade,<br \/>\nbeginning the site&#8217;s long association with beer, distribution and<br \/>\nindependent commerce.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wb-history-event\"><time datetime=\"1960\">1960<\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-line\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-event-label\">A changing trade<\/p>\n<h3>Brewing pauses.<\/h3>\n<p>Brewing ceased in 1960. H.B. Clark continued as a drinks<br \/>\ndistributor, keeping Westgate commercially active even while<br \/>\nproduction itself was absent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wb-history-event\"><time datetime=\"1982-07\">1982<\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-line\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-event-label\">The return<\/p>\n<h3>The brewhouse comes back to life.<\/h3>\n<p>Brewing recommenced in July 1982 following the development of a<br \/>\nnew brewhouse, opening another substantial period of production at<br \/>\nWestgate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wb-history-event\"><time datetime=\"2017\">c. 2017<\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-line\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-event-label\">Another transition<\/p>\n<h3>On-site brewing ends.<\/h3>\n<p>After decades of renewed production, brewing at the Wakefield site<br \/>\nceased around 2017. The buildings remained a visible part of the<br \/>\ncity&#8217;s brewing and commercial history.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"wb-history-event wb-history-event--now\"><time datetime=\"2026\">Today<\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-line\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-event-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-event-label\">The next chapter<\/p>\n<h3>A landmark built for business again.<\/h3>\n<p>The Boylin Group is refurbishing the former brewery in phases to<br \/>\ncreate practical, flexible commercial workspace while retaining<br \/>\nthe heritage and industrial character of the site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"wb-history-people\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-people-title\">\n<figure class=\"wb-history-people-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/westgate-06-archive-staff.jpg\" alt=\"Clark's Brewery staff with a Wakefield centenary celebration brew barrel\" width=\"1451\" height=\"1084\" \/><figcaption>Archive photograph \u00b7 Clark&#8217;s Brewery staff<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wb-history-people-copy\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow wb-history-eyebrow--red\">More than brick and mortar<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wb-history-people-title\">A place made by people.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wb-history-lead\">The brewery&#8217;s story is not only one of buildings and machinery. It is the story of the people who brewed, bottled, distributed and worked here.<\/p>\n<p>That working spirit matters to the next phase of Westgate. The<br \/>\nambition is not to turn the site into a museum, but to keep it useful: a place where independent businesses can make, build and grow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"wb-history-principles\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-principles-title\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap\">\n<header class=\"wb-history-principles-head\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow\">Past meets future<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wb-history-principles-title\">Preserve the story.<br \/>\nChange the purpose.<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"wb-history-principle-grid\">\n<article>01<\/p>\n<h3>Retain the character<\/h3>\n<p>Protect the industrial identity, original fabric and sense of place that distinguish Westgate from newly built commercial space.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article>02<\/p>\n<h3>Make it practical<\/h3>\n<p>Adapt the buildings into flexible spaces for offices, studios, storage, light industry and a varied community of businesses.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article>03<\/p>\n<h3>Give it another century<\/h3>\n<p>Put productive commercial activity back at the centre of the site so its history continues in the present tense.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"wb-history-detail\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-detail-title\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap wb-history-detail-grid\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-detail-copy\">\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow wb-history-eyebrow--light\">The next chapter<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wb-history-detail-title\">Character cannot be manufactured.<\/h2>\n<p>Modern commercial spaces are being introduced within a setting that<br \/>\nalready has identity\u2014giving occupiers something different from a<br \/>\nconventional office block or anonymous business park.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#spaces\">Explore the available spaces <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2197<\/span>&lt;\/a &gt; <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"wb-history-detail-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/westgate-07-bottlery-detail.jpg\" alt=\"Industrial wall light and timber detail at The Bottlery, Westgate Brewery\" width=\"485\" height=\"595\" \/><figcaption>The Bottlery \u00b7 retained industrial detail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"wb-history-cta\" aria-labelledby=\"wb-history-cta-title\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap wb-history-cta-grid\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"wb-history-eyebrow wb-history-eyebrow--light\">A working heritage<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wb-history-cta-title\">History isn&#8217;t<br \/>\nfinished here.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wb-history-cta-copy\">\n<p>Westgate Brewery is becoming a new home for businesses that value character, flexibility and a distinctive Wakefield address.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wb-history-buttons\"><a class=\"wb-history-btn wb-history-btn--cream\" href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#spaces\">View the spaces<br \/>\n<\/a><a class=\"wb-history-btn wb-history-btn--outline\" href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=330#enquire\">Arrange a viewing<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<aside class=\"wb-history-source-note\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap\">\n<p>Historical dates are based on published records relating to H.B. Clark<br \/>\n&amp; Co. Early sources differ slightly on the founding year, which is<br \/>\ntherefore shown as 1905\u201306.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<footer class=\"wb-history-site-footer\">\n<div class=\"wb-history-wrap wb-history-footer-inner\"><a class=\"wb-history-wordmark wb-history-wordmark--footer\" href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/\"><br \/>\n<strong>Westgate<\/strong><br \/>\nBrewery \u00b7 Wakefield<br \/>\n<\/a>Distinctive commercial space in the heart of Wakefield.<a class=\"wb-history-back-top\" href=\"#history-top\">Back to top \u2191<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WESTGATE BREWERY HomeSpacesGalleryHistoryNewsOur CommunityFAQLocation Arrange a viewing Menu HomeSpacesGalleryHistoryNewsOur CommunityFAQLocationArrange a viewing The story of Westgate Brewery Built on history. More than a century of brewing, trade and enterprise\u2014now beginning a new chapter as a distinctive home for modern business. 120+ Years of working history on Westgate Archive photograph \u00b7 Westgate Brewery, Wakefield 1905\u201306H.B. Clark &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/?page_id=348\" class=\"more-link\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;History&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inspiro_hide_title":false,"inspiro_hide_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-348","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=348"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":770,"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/348\/revisions\/770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/westgatebrewery.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}