BECK has been selected as the fit-out contractor for ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’, creating a new microbrewery and culture hub for Diageo in London’s Covent Garden, due to open in Winter 2024.

‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’ will cover five areas across Mercer Walk, Langley Street, Neal Street and Shelton Street.  The 50,000 sq ft scheme will encompass a world-leading microbrewery, event spaces, seven bars, VIP private bars and tasting rooms, dining spaces, a Guinness retail space, 360-degree cinema and a covered courtyard.  Bespoke bar joinery will be created by the in-house specialist joinery team at the BECK workshop in Chessington, with the wider fit out requirements being delivered by our long-term supply chain.

The team on-site will redevelop five empty buildings and one external space to create an incredible hospitality destination which cements Diageo’s confidence in London as a desirable tourist destination and their commitment to the hospitality sector.

Dan Herron, Group Managing Director 

BECK’s scope includes extensive demolition, structural alterations across the buildings, underpinning, façade stabilisation, new lift and stair cores, a roof top extension, new covered yard with a steel and glass roof, extensive temporary works, the formation of new risers and plant rooms with full fit-out.  This will include the installation of a full working microbrewery spanning two floors of the Mercer building.

In August, Dan Herron, Brian Hutchison and Stuart Ladbury from BECK attended the ‘breaking ground’ ceremony at Old Brewer’s Yard with Diageo, celebrating the commencement of the project.

Tom Johnson, Head of Experience Beer & Spirits at Diageo

As a historic location with a listed courtyard, great care and sensitivity will be taken to preserve period features throughout the buildings wherever possible.  All original brickwork for the premises will be cleaned and restored internally to provide a magnificent backdrop to the quality of the fit-out to be undertaken.

The finished project will create up to 150 jobs within the microbrewery and training for a further 100 bartenders annually.  The venue will also provide space for local community initiatives.  The project will look to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating with 100% of all site waste recycled and nothing going to landfill.

‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’ sees BECK join RKD, London Structures Lab, chapmbdsp and simply cdm as part of the client team.

Dan Herron, Group Managing Director at BECK says: “We are delighted to be working with Diageo on this remarkable project, bringing an extraordinary hospitality experience to the heart of Covent Garden.  The creation of the microbrewery creates a new home for Guinness in London, and I am proud of the dedication and expertise of the BECK team, which has led to us securing the works.  We look forward to working with the entire client team to transform these spaces into an unforgettable hospitality destination.”

Tom Johnson, Head of Experience Beer & Spirits at Diageo says: “We are excited to work with BECK on this special project to create a new home for Guinness in the heart of London. The investment to create ‘Guinness Old Brewer’s Yard’, builds on the success of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and the opening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh in 2021. It demonstrates our confidence in London and the UK as a go-to destination for tourists and our steadfast commitment to the hospitality sector. We are looking forward to working closely with BECK to make ‘Guinness Old Brewer’s Yard’ a must-visit destination for thousands of visitors to enjoy”.

Ends.