THERE are changes on the horizon for Bradford Brewery as it steps into a new era and refocusses its business direction.

Greater emphasis on wholesale beer sales has driven growth for the company, based in Rawson Road, off Westgate.

Significant increases in business have already been witnessed, says recently-appointed managing director Phillip Ogg, who is in charge of the restructure.

He replaced the brewery’s previous managing director, Matthew Halliday, who left to pursue other interests.

Mr Ogg said: “As the brewery approached its third year we were conscious that the business had begun to coast. We’re now into a completely new era and are taking things to the next level, driving growth and innovation.

“Just by refocussing our sales direction through wholesalers and chains and beginning to develop other revenue streams, we’ve already been able to double our sales.”

Bottling and kegging operations have been re-introduced through a partnership with Cumbria Bottling. This has enabled the relaunch of the brewery’s Bradford Lager and Hockney Pale bottle sales and its Bradford Lager in keg. Product quality has been improved.

To bring the Bradford brew plant use up to full capacity, it is now being used by Leeds-based wheat brewery Eyes Brewing, alongside the Bradford beer production.

There are also plans to bring back the popular Made of Bradford merchandise, such as T-shirts, hoodies and souvenir glasses and to sell the range on a wider choice of platforms, including an e-bay store.

The company is seeking new premises to host its Made of Bradford pop-up bar, which closed in January after a period of operation in Ivegate.

It is also exploring a range of other options for expanding the Bradford Brewery brand.

Mr Ogg has a background in insurance underwriting management but, more recently, has invested in several early stage businesses. These include tech start-ups, and medical equipment as well as software and Wi-Fi providers.

He was an investor in Bradford Brewery at the inception of the business more than three years ago and is also a director of Financial Pulse Ltd and Angel Groups Technology Ltd.

Along with financial director Mark Lister, he has been supporting and guiding the refocussing of the business. Mr Lister is the principal of Rosin Ban Advisory Partners and a governor of Leeds Trinity University.

In the meantime, all eyes are on the future.

“We are currently examining the possibility of opening an additional Bradford Brewery bar and are on the look-out for an appropriate venue,” said Mr Ogg .

The existing bar adjoining the brewery, is concentrating on offering a more extensive programme of events, including brewery tours, food pop-ups, new live music and open mic sessions and even language classes – supporting the recently established Bradford Language School as well as continuing with its DJ and Wednesday quiz nights.

The two directors are working on the development plans with the support of the existing team: – Graeme Rothery as head brewer, Molly Nicholas running events and social media, Uljana Kuznecova as bar general manager and Michael Wilkinson, head of sales.