C&C Group Acquires Innis & Gunn
C&C Group has officially acquired Innis & Gunn for £4.5 million, a significant development announced on March 6, 2026. This acquisition comes as Innis & Gunn was brought out of administration, marking a pivotal moment for the brand.
The immediate consequences of this acquisition are severe, with plans to close the brewery and taprooms, leading to the loss of approximately 100 jobs. Dougal Gunn Sharp, the founder of Innis & Gunn, expressed deep regret over the impact on employees and shareholders, stating, “I’m deeply sorry to everyone affected – particularly my colleagues who have lost their jobs and the shareholders who believed in what we were building.”
C&C Group has been a minority shareholder and brewing partner for Innis & Gunn for several years, having brewed most of its products since 2010. The acquisition is expected to fully integrate Innis & Gunn into C&C Group’s existing operational infrastructure.
Prior to the acquisition, Innis & Gunn reported a loss of £747,000 for the year ending March 31, 2025. This financial strain likely contributed to the decision to seek acquisition. Innis & Gunn, founded in 2003, has enjoyed a steady rise in popularity, with its products available in supermarkets and pubs across the UK.
Roger White, a representative from C&C Group, described the acquisition as a “compelling and highly synergistic opportunity to save a well-loved brand for which we currently brew most of the product.” He also noted, “We expect this acquisition to make a small positive contribution to our overall financial performance in FY27.”
As part of the transition, C&C Group plans to close Innis & Gunn’s current facilities, which include a brewhouse with a capacity of 20,000 hectolitres, while aiming for a planned production capacity of 37,500 hectolitres at the Perth brewery.
Despite the potential benefits for C&C Group, the closure of Innis & Gunn’s operations raises concerns about the future of the brand and its workforce. A spokesperson for the administrators acknowledged the difficult situation, stating, “It is with deep regret that redundancies will need to be made.”
As the situation develops, the impact on the local community and the brewing industry will be closely monitored. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline for the closures and the future of the Innis & Gunn brand under C&C Group’s ownership.