DEVIZES Town Council is backing Wadworth’s plan to build a new brewery but says it is vital that the business stays in the town.

Town clerk Simon Fisher had talks with Wadworth CEO Chris Welham on Friday and was pleased that he said the brewery did not want to leave but concerned that he was unable to give a 100 per cent commitment that the new site would be in Devizes.

Mr Fisher said: “The town council understands the need for businesses like Wadworth to develop and move with the times but as a brewery town we would not want to lose that connection. We will be following the developments with interest.”

He said he would prefer the option that would keep the Wadworth offices in the iconic red brick building on the corner of Northgate Street and New Park Street.

The town council also see it as an opportunity to move proposals for the Wharf development forward when land owned by Wadworth next to the canal becomes available.

Mr Welham and Wadworth chairman Charles Bartholomew told the Gazette it was their wish to stay in Devizes and were talking to Wiltshire Council about a number of potential sites.

Wiltshire Council leader Philip Whitehead confirmed that he was working closely with the brewery and was confident a suitable site would be found in the Devizes area.

He said: “It is their wish to stay in Devizes and it is our wish to be able to help them to do that.”