Warminster said it was saddened by the forthcoming closure of Tuckers Maltings and that it would endeavour to ensure growers and customers are not affected.

Chris Garratt, said: “Whilst Warminster Maltings is older than Tuckers, having had 50 years under the management of Guinness, we didn’t start independent life until relatively recently, in the mid 90’s, and have since been active in the brewing and distilling sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

“Having had a little time to plan, we have already established contact with the local Devon and Cornish growers to ensure we can provide the continuation and benefit of local barley.

“We have our own dedicated fleet of lorries and will provide a dedicated quality delivery service. For those wishing to collect, we have made arrangements with some local stores to hold a range of malts or receive local brewers orders.”

We welcome the opportunity to supply more brewers in the Southwest. To discuss a local supply please contact Chris Garratt, 01985 212014.

Edwin Tucker and Sons, the firm that runs Tuckers Maltings, made the announcement earlier this month that the site was to close.

They said: “After producing malt in Newton Abbot for 118 years the directors of Tuckers have had to make the sad decision to close the Maltings in the autumn of 2018.”

In continued: “We have always been proud to be the smallest maltsters in the country producing malt in the old traditional way.

“Operating on this scale has finally proven to be uncompetitive in the modern world and increasing capacity within the old traditional building would be very difficult while not jeopardising the quality of the product.

“After consultation and professional advice it was decided it would be wise to make this decision while the business was financially sound and closure could be achieved in an organised and efficient way.

“Production will finish in September when all the 2017 crop has been malted and it is anticipated supplies to customers will finish by the end of October.”