A rendering of the proposed Guinness Brewhouse at 1 Mercer Walk.Guinness

Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard in London’s Covent Garden is one step closer to reality after winning planning permission from the City of Westminster’s Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee this week.

Guinness parent company Diageo’s application for the new London destination was “considered acceptable” as it accords with the relevant policies in Westminster’s City Plan 2019 - 2040, the sub-committee decided on March 21. 

While some community organizations and local residents had reservations about the plans for Covent Gardens, overall the sub-committee felt the decision to grant permission for the plans would be beneficial to the area.

The sub-committee recommended the plans for approval subject to the completion of a legal agreement and conditions set forth in a draft decision letter.

Diageo first submitted its plans in March 2022 but submitted revised plans in January 2023 following objections from local residents and local organizations, including the Camden Council and the Covent Garden Area Trust. 

In its initial proposal, Diageo said it planned to invest £73 million to create a new leisure and entertainment destination centered around the Guinness brand for the buildings positioned around Old Brewer’s Yard, with the yard at the center of the scheme providing an outdoor food and drink area. 

A microbrewery and visitor experience is proposed at 1 Mercer Walk and connected to the wider development by the existing passageway underneath 6 Langley Street. 

Diageo said last year it was aiming to open the new destination in autumn 2023, pending planning permission.

Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard in London’s Covent Garden is set to feature:

  • A world-leading microbrewery that will produce limited edition beers and offer guests tours with Guinness beer specialists to taste/enjoy and learn about the iconic stout, its storied history, and ambitions for the future.
  • Event spaces and a central covered courtyard to host events across food, drink, the arts, and special cultural occasions, will be open for use by the local community.
  • Guinness store selling rare items via collaborations and partnerships bespoke to the London experience.
  • Chance to try exciting new brews, some only available at ‘Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard’.
  • Rotating cuisine and events at a stunning open-fire kitchen, restaurant, and 360 degrees glass rooftop space within the development.

Diageo said the new brewery will create 150 jobs and provide a community space within the Covent Garden area and predicts that it will attract up to 450,000 visitors per year.