'Now feels right to show Banks's vital history'

A photographer has paid homage to a city's brewing history with an exhibition of behind the scenes images.

Tegen Kimbley was in awe of the Bank's Brewery "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-esque" design when she started worked at the Wolverhampton site in 2018.

The 30-year-old began taking photos to show the inner workings of the historic landmarks. The display can be viewed at the Wolverhampton Arts Centre until Tuesday. "It feels like the right time to showcase such an important part of Wolverhampton's history," she told the BBC.

Production of Banks's moved to Burton-on-Trent last year, after 150 years in the city.

In other brewing news, Marston's Brewery's owner Carlsberg Britvic announced on Thursday that it was proposing to shut its Burton-upon-Trent facility. About 310 people are affected.

"Another heartbreak in regards to a dying beer trade and ale brewing," said Kimbley.

Kimbley took on a customer service role in her home city after graduating from the University of South Wales.

Seeing the brewery in action rekindled her love for photography and she began capturing the scene in her spare time.

"At the time we had no idea that the brewery was under threat of closing down. I recently went back to take some more photos and it's amazing how much it has changed," she said.

"It's such a shame because it's such an iconic landmark in Wolverhampton and it's the legacy of the area."

The photographer added: "Whenever you speak to anyone about the brewery, they often reminisce about the smell of the hops and being brought up on Banks's Mild. It was a shame to see that part of the city's history disappear.

"It was an important part of Wolverhampton's industrial landscape and its identity. It was part of your every day, it wasn't just a job, it was after work as well when you're in the pub all together enjoying a pint of Banks's."

She added: "I'm extremely grateful I was able to document the inside of this brewery that many people didn't get to see. I was really fascinated by the building, it had a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-esque about it."

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