Ignition under new management
Ignition under new management
At the Sydenham Forum last Saturday it was mentioned that the Ignition Brewery was now under new management. A group based in Downham i think. Anybody know the background to this change?
Re: Ignition under new management
Yep - Know a load about it so here’s some word vomit lol.
The 3 initial founders - Nick in particular who was the face/was by the far the most involved in running it - wanted to pass it on after having achieved their aim of very successfully building a not for profit brewery based around supporting people with Learning Disability; The bar during opening hours was being managed and staffed solely by people with a learning disability and it’s been running for 8 or 10 years since inception.
They had a number of different companies wanting to take over and in the end they had the tricky situation of passing it on to a non LD organisation with more experience in brewing/running bars or a LD organisation with less experience. In the end they went for the latter (Bright Horizons) as they felt that the morals/values support of people with a LD will be in safe hands that way and business savvy can be learnt and built on the core of the current structure.
Dave and 2 others are the current directors, but the ownership, liability etc is all based with the charity organisation Bright Horizons. All staff will continue with the brewery, as will the regular events and the secondary location at Lewisham Hospital.
The current known plans that have been divulged to a number of people so don’t think are secret:
- An increase from 4 to 8 (!) taps and a wider array of drinks including lager and cider on tap (they have the lines and stock, just awaiting/issues with the chiller delivery)
- Plans to introduce food - hopefully by making room for a small kitchen and employing more people with a Learning Disability, but possibly - especially in the short term future to maybe link up with local fooderies
- Increased events with other local community people/groups
That’s probably enough barking on about a place very close to my heart (!) - I run the monthly quiz there and professionally work with people with a Learning Disability plus doesn’t hurt I enjoy beer!
Happy to try and answer any questions or pass on anything to Dave if needed
The 3 initial founders - Nick in particular who was the face/was by the far the most involved in running it - wanted to pass it on after having achieved their aim of very successfully building a not for profit brewery based around supporting people with Learning Disability; The bar during opening hours was being managed and staffed solely by people with a learning disability and it’s been running for 8 or 10 years since inception.
They had a number of different companies wanting to take over and in the end they had the tricky situation of passing it on to a non LD organisation with more experience in brewing/running bars or a LD organisation with less experience. In the end they went for the latter (Bright Horizons) as they felt that the morals/values support of people with a LD will be in safe hands that way and business savvy can be learnt and built on the core of the current structure.
Dave and 2 others are the current directors, but the ownership, liability etc is all based with the charity organisation Bright Horizons. All staff will continue with the brewery, as will the regular events and the secondary location at Lewisham Hospital.
The current known plans that have been divulged to a number of people so don’t think are secret:
- An increase from 4 to 8 (!) taps and a wider array of drinks including lager and cider on tap (they have the lines and stock, just awaiting/issues with the chiller delivery)
- Plans to introduce food - hopefully by making room for a small kitchen and employing more people with a Learning Disability, but possibly - especially in the short term future to maybe link up with local fooderies
- Increased events with other local community people/groups
That’s probably enough barking on about a place very close to my heart (!) - I run the monthly quiz there and professionally work with people with a Learning Disability plus doesn’t hurt I enjoy beer!
Happy to try and answer any questions or pass on anything to Dave if needed
Re: Ignition under new management
That’s really helpful. Thank you. A great place for a pint!
Re: Ignition under new management
No problem. Forgot to mention they are also very much planning on extending closing time as last orders have always been pretty early for various reasons but this is being looked at with last orders more like 10/10:30 then 9:30ish.
Keep on supporting Ignition and the high street if you can folk
as is always the case - if you don’t use it you lose it! 
Keep on supporting Ignition and the high street if you can folk
as is always the case - if you don’t use it you lose it!