A Preston brewery founder who started brewing beer in his garage aged 18 is set to purchase the city centre premises where his business is based.
The Chain House Brewing base in Preston
Ryan Hayes, founder of Chain House Brewing, began brewing small 20-litre batches for friends and family nearly two decades ago, while working full-time as an electrician. Today, the business supplies pubs and bars across the region and operates a popular city centre venue on Market Street, which has become a hub for the local community.
What started as a hobby soon gathered momentum. Brewing in the evenings and at weekends around his day job, Ryan gradually built a loyal customer base while reinvesting every penny of profit back into equipment and production. As demand increased, the operation eventually outgrew the family garage.
“I never planned for this to become my full-time job,” said Ryan. “I was brewing beer because I loved it. Every bit of money the business made went straight back into equipment, ingredients, or finding ways to make the beer better.
“Then, all of a sudden, I had more customers than I could keep up with and realised I needed to make a decision if I wanted to keep moving forward.”
Ryan’s next opportunity came when he was introduced to a local property owner looking to create a brewery and bar in the heart of Preston city centre. Together, they transformed the premises into a destination where customers can enjoy a pint while seeing the brewing process in action.
The move allowed Chain House Brewing to increase production and open a taproom, which now accounts for around half of sales. However, Ryan admits the transition was far from straightforward.
“The garage was comfortable because there wasn’t much pressure,” he said. “But once you move into a commercial premises, everything changes. You’ve got rent to pay, bills coming in, and people depending on you.
“There was a period where I was working full-time as an electrician, brewing beer, and helping run the bar. It got to the point where I couldn’t keep juggling everything and had to take a leap of faith.”
Ryan Hayes
Today, Chain House Brewing welcomes customers seven days a week and attracts visitors from across Lancashire and beyond. The venue hosts live music, open mic nights, brewery toursk and community events, while also serving as the home of the Lancashire Home Brew Club.
Following the owner’s decision to retire, the opportunity arose to purchase the building that houses the brewery. With support from Allica Bank, Ryan is now buying the property.
“For me, it’s about certainty,” he said. “Owning the building means we’re no longer at the mercy of circumstances outside our control. It gives us stability and the confidence to keep investing in what we’ve built.”
Ben Homans, relationship manager at Allica Bank, said: “Ryan’s story is exactly what makes working with business owners so rewarding. I personally can’t wait to visit and try one of his famous pints!
“Businesses like Chain House play an important role in local economies. Established businesses account for more than a third of private sector employment across the North West, and many have been built through years of determination, reinvestment, and strong community support.
“Being able to help Ryan purchase the property and secure the next stage of the brewery’s journey is a fantastic moment, and we’re proud to support him.”
