The Batemans 2025: A Year of Progress, People and Proper Batemans Spirit

As the year draws to a close, it feels a fitting moment to pause, raise a pint, and look back at everything that the whole Batemans team has achieved together in 2025. Our 150^th anniversary was a tough year to follow up, but between a bevy of new beers, several large-scale refurbishments, and the setting of bold plans for our future, we’d like to think we’ve had a good go.

People at the Heart

This has been a year defined by the dedication and resilience of the Batemans team.

• Jaclyn has spent much of this year fighting cancer, and the courage and strength she has shown in this battle – while familiar to anybody who knows her – has been an inspiration to us all.
• Other colleagues have also been very much in our thoughts with their health struggles, and their tenacity continues to inspire those around them.
• We celebrated Colleague of the Year, with well-deserved recognition for Danielle.
• We welcomed new faces including Ellie in Trade Development, Holly in the Brewhouse and Darren in Free Trade Sales.
• After decades of loyal service, we said a fond farewell to John Sharpe as he retired.
• Our Head Brewer, Giuseppe, stepped into his new role with passion and expertise, supported by Ben, who successfully passed his brewing exams.
• Stuart Bateman was honoured with the Lifetime Achiever Award at the Skegness Business Awards, sponsored by the Skegness Area Business Chamber. This recognition holds particular significance for Stuart, as his father, George Bateman, received an award for Services to Skegness in 1998 and his grandfather, Harry Bateman CBE, who was similarly honoured in 1959.
• And of course, Eliza continued gaining hands-on experience across the Brewery which included her highly successful brew Loopy Loo.

With over 200 years of experience shared between just five long-standing members of the team, alongside a new generation bringing a welcome dash of new ideas, this blend of proven experience and modern, fresh thinking has been one of our biggest strengths this year.

Pubs and Places

Our pubs remain the beating heart of Batemans, and this year saw major transformations and welcome reopenings:

• Completed refurbishments at The Bell Inn, Burgh Le Marsh, The Woolpack in Louth, and The Palmerston Arms, Peterborough.
• The proud purchase of The Carpenters Arms, Fiskerton.
• The much-anticipated reopening of The Castle at Freiston.
• And the triumphant return of The Kings Head, Bonsall, following its devastating fire.

This year also saw well-earned celebrations through our Rewarding Success winners, who continue to champion everything a great Batemans pub should be.

Brewing, Brands & Big Ideas

2025 was a year of development and forward planning, with exciting growth on the horizon:

• Finalised plans for our new warehouse.
• Progress on a new modern brewing plant.
• Installation of a new water purification system to support quality and sustainability.
• Plans for a brand-new lorry fleet, keeping Batemans on the road for years to come.
• Completion of crucial flood defences to protect the Brewery for future generations.

On the beer side, the year was just as lively:

• New beer collaborations with international brewers.
• A new generation of beer brewing with Eliza Bateman and Loopy Loo.
• A vibrant new Pink Sparkling Cremant added to the Ridlingtons range.
• Release of our latest Wine Brochures.
• And the pre launch of ORO 3.4%, which will be part of our permanent portfolio in 2026.

Events, Community & Partnerships

From classic favourites to big new moments, 2025 brought people together across the Brewery, pubs and wider community:

• Bands on the Bank, Last Night of the Proms, Beer & Carols, Beer Club Bash, Celebrity Darts, and our infamous Golf Day.
• Renewed agreements with Heineken and Molson Coors, strengthening long-term partnerships.
• Continued support for our nominated charity, raising £3,000 for the Askefield Project.
• Ongoing bar sponsorship at Mansfield Town FC.
• Growth in export, social media activity, and video production, bringing Batemans to new audiences at home and abroad.
• Earlier in 2025, we were saddened to hear of the passing of John “Paddy” Hemingway, the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot. In 1990, we brewed a commemorative ale to mark the campaign’s 50th anniversary, and this year also marked 85 years since that defining moment in history.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’d like to thank every colleague, tenant, partner, drinker and devoted pub-goer who has shared this journey with us. It’s been a year full of hard work and proper Batemans heart, and we can’t wait for the next chapter.