A Cumbrian brewery has acquired two fellow beer producers as it looks to grow its market share.

Bowness Bay Brewery, in Kendal, has acquired the Windmill Brewery, in Standish, near Wigan, and Appleby Brewery.

Bowness Bay Brewery founder Richard Husbands said: “We had been in talks with Windmill and Appleby breweries for some time and it was the right opportunity at the right time.

"Both breweries offered us a strategic fit and it made perfect sense.

“Windmill and Appleby have established customer bases with strong products, and we’ll continue to operate the brands, particularly where there is a strong geographical association with customers.

"With Windmill being based in Standish it gives us the ability to expand our reach into Lancashire and Cheshire.

"Appleby also has existing contracts with Booths, Co-op and Westmorland Ltd, whilst Windmill has existing contracts with Co-op. These relationships will dovetail nicely with our growth plans for these sectors.

“Acquisitions that provide us with the ability to grow or give us new routes to market will certainly form part of our growth plans, but that’s not the focus.

"Our priority is to ensure that we continue to brew high quality beers that our customers like and want.”

Bowness Bay Brewing has recently undergone an expansion programme, which includes the opening of a new bar at the brewery called the Barrel House, in Kendal.

Richard said: “Acquiring both Windmill and Appleby brands, enables The Barrel House to introduce new brands and beers to the growing Barrel House community, which will complement the existing very popular Bowness Bay Brewing brands.”