More than 1,300 sign Save Our Banks's Mild petition

Support has been flooding in since we launched the petition six days ago, in the wake of news that Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) was discontinuing the famous cask brew in its 150th anniversary year.

The bombshell came just weeks after the brewing giant announced the closure of Wolverhampton's Park Brewery, also after 150 years.

Both decisions follow the takeover of the brewing side of Marston's - formerly Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries - by Danish-owned Carlsberg in a £206 million deal in July. Carlsberg Marstons said Banks's Mild would continue to be sold in keg form and in cans.

Our petition has been backed by the Campaign for Real Ale.

Camra national vice-chairman Gillian Hough said: “This is another example of a globally owned business wiping out UK brewing heritage.

“I hope that this change will mean space on the bar for licensees to stock guest beers from local independent breweries, but realistically, I suspect this isn’t what CMBC plans. This loss of consumer choice is the inevitable outcome of a brewing conglomerate run by accountants and the bottom line. This is a sad and disappointing decision that puts both the history and the future of British brewing in jeopardy.”

The people who signed our petition left Carlsberg Marston's in little doubt what they thought about the decision.

"It’s part of heritage in Wolverhampton," wrote Paul Jennings from Wolverhampton.

"If we don't stand up for these independent brands we will be left with nothing but generic pap," wrote Marion Sell, from Swindon.

Stephen Mogg from West Bromwich, added: "This is a disgrace, big brewery’s getting rid of local beer."

James Price from Stourbridge wrote: "Bank's Mild is as a superb beer and should be brewed for another 150 proud years!"

"Heritage not hedge funds!!" was the battle-cry from Philip Scragg, in Shrewsbury. 

Quintin Drake from Fleet in Hampshire, said Banks's was 'one of the last traditional milds left'. 

"Unfortunately, Carlsberg are interested in lager and inferior craft beers," he added.

David Cooper of Bicester contributed: "This is too good a beer to lose. It is very popular around the West Midlands in particular and its loss would be a material degradation to the heritage and community interests of the area." 

To sign our petition, please use the web link change.org/p/save-our-banks-s-mild