The iconic Goat Maltings on Clarence Street in Burton upon Trent are currently on fire. The main column of smoke is rising from the unique octagonal malthouse with more coming from a roof vent at the far end of the building.
The Grade II Listed Maltings once formed part of The Clarence Street Brewery built by the Trustees of the Late Peter Walker, the entire premises were accepted as the most ornate of all the Victorian Burton Breweries. The original brewery was erected in 1883-84 by Lowe and Sons of Burton and designed by the Architects G. Scamell and R. C. Sinclair. The Maltings take their name from the beautiful copper goat weathervane.
Peter Walker was originally from Warrington and moved to Burton, where his brother Andrew Barclay Walker had already established a brewery. Tragically before his brewery was finished, Peter died, so the company became known as The Trustees of the Late Peter Walker. Brewing ceased in 1929 and the site was sold to Maltsers Yeoman, Cherry and Curtis.
As yet the extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are unknown, but it is looking likely that Burton is about to lose another part of its rich brewing history.