A Cumbrian brewery popular with tourists and locals has permanently closed its shop and will no longer offer tours.

Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth has been closed to visitors since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

Carlsberg Marstons, which owns the long-established brewery, has now confirmed there are no plans to re-open the shop or resume the brewery tours.

It is understood that at least seven tour guides and shop staff are likely to lose their jobs as a result of the decision.

The west Cumbria branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) has hit out at the decision, saying the company has failed to see "the brewing gem" it has inherited.

The group also fear it could mean the closure of the brewery, founded in 1828, and its well-known beers being brewed outside of Cumbria.

Len Wainwright, of CAMRA West Cumbria, said: "Whether the powers that be in Carlsberg management know where Jennings Brewery is, is a moot point, however what is puzzling, is that in closing the shop and tours they are throwing away a potential money-making enterprise.

"Last summer saw record numbers of visitors to the Lake District. This resulted in a marked increase in tourists visiting Cockermouth. This trend is likely to continue so any tourist attraction in the area is liable to see an increase in profitability.

"The future of the brewery is looking increasingly precarious as economies of scale may lead to its closure and its beers being brewed elsewhere.

"For instance, Newcastle Brown Ale has since 2017 been brewed at the Heineken Brewery in Zoeterwoude, the Netherlands.

"What would become of the brewery buildings should it close?

"Will we see yet another set of empty buildings in the town and the Cumbria heritage of Jennings beer gone because the management of Carlsberg fail to see what a brewing gem they have inherited?"

Councillor Ron Munby MBE, who represents All Saints Cockermouth on Allerdale Council said it was a "great loss" to the town.

He said: "I have grown up with Jennings and the brewery. From a historical point of view, it still is important with the association of making beer. The beer that is produced is highly thought of, from day one.

"It is a pity. I presume there are reasons, such as viability, overheads. What I wouldn't like to hear is blaming the present virus. It's so easy to do that. I'm sorry to hear about it. It is a great loss to the town."

A spokesperson for Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company said: "We have taken the difficult decision to not re-open the Jennings brewery tour following its closure 20 months ago due to Covid restrictions.

"In addition, we have reviewed our brewery shops and as the Jennings beer shop was largely reliant on brewery tours, we have decided not re-open it.

"Whilst these decisions will be disappointing to some people, we feel they are the right ones for our business and will enable us to invest in growing our beers and brands in new ways."