Greene King and West Suffolk Council Join Forces to Explore Future Use of the Westgate Site

21 Feb 2025

Local brewer and pub company, Greene King, has entered into a collaborative agreement with West Suffolk Council to explore the future use of its current town centre site on Westgate Street. This comes after the approval of plans to develop a new, state-of-the-art brewery at Suffolk Business Park.

Greene King and West Suffolk Council have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, an agreement which sets out their commitment to work closely with key stakeholders and members of the local community to develop a masterplan for the Westgate site. This inclusive approach will ensure that a wide range of ideas are considered from the very beginning, helping to shape the future of the site.

Whilst no plans for the site have been agreed at this early stage, Greene King intends to take a heritage-led approach and maintain a company presence in the town centre. The focus will be on thoughtful, long-term planning that aims to create benefits for the local community and enhances the overall character and vibrancy of the area.

Matt Starbuck, Managing Director of Brewing and Brands at Greene King, said:
“We’re excited to work in partnership with West Suffolk Council to explore the future of the Westgate site, and we are fully committed to engaging extensively with the Bury St Edmunds community as we develop these plans, just as we did with the proposals for our new brewery. By working together, we can create a sustainable and vibrant future for the town that benefits everyone.”

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Portfolio Holder for Growth at West Suffolk Council said:
“This collaboration marks an exciting step forward for both West Suffolk Council and Greene King. The plans for a new brewery at Suffolk Business Park are a real boost to our local economy, ensuring jobs and skills are retained whilst facilitating sustainable growth. We are thrilled to be working with Greene King to ensure that the Westgate site contributes to the future success of Bury St Edmunds town centre. This project demonstrates our commitment to good placemaking and creating a thriving, inclusive community that works for everyone.”

The Memorandum of Cooperation between Greene King and West Suffolk Council underscores the importance of working together for the long-term benefit of the town. Both parties are committed to ensuring that the development of the Westgate site is guided by the principles of good partnership, economic growth, and placemaking.

Details on how to get involved in shaping the vision for Westgate will be shared in the spring. For now, more information on Greene King’s plans across Bury St Edmunds is available at the Greene King consultation website.

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