The announcement was made early today by the brewery's Danish owners Carlsberg.

It brings to an end 186 years of brewing at the Hunslet site. The closure will take place in 2011. Consultations have been started with trades union representatives.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Click here to send us an email with your thoughts on the closure of Tetley's Brewery in Leeds.

* Click here to read your views on the closure.

* Click here to enjoy a picture memory lanne slideshow looking back at the history and heritage of Leeds's Tetley's Brewery.

Probably the worst decision in the World for real ale drinkers?: Click here to read more on CAMRA's reaction to the closure decision.

Workers stunned by announcement: Click here for full story.

Carlsberg UK marketing director Darran Britton said the brewing of Tetley beers would remain in Britain, and if possible in Yorkshire if a partnership deal with another brewery could be negotiated.

Closure a shock says Leeds Chamber of Commerce president: Click here for full interview.

Closure a 'sad day' for Leeds says council leader: Click here for full story.

The brewery site in Hunslet in south Leeds is likely to be snapped up by developers, though Carlsberg said no decisions had been made about its future. The site covers 5.5 acres, and with development land in Leeds fetching around £12m an acre the site has a potential value of more than £65m.

Mr Britton said: "We have not decided anything in relation to the site at the moment. Our primary focus has been consultation with the employees. I am sure there will be a lot of speculation about the site but nothing has been decided."
He said he was aware of the brewery's place in the industrial history of Leeds.

"I absolutely appreciate the heritage but we have ultimately got to make sure our business is strong and sustainable in the future," he said.

"Leeds is the smallest and least efficient of our two sites and the reality is that people are drinking less."

The other site is in Northampton.

He said the company had made the announcement two and a half years before the closure will take place in an attempt to be "open and transparent" and to give the brewery's 170 employees time to plan their futures.

Some redeployment of work may take place - Carlsberg has a distribution plant at Tingley, outside Leeds.

What's the weather forecast for Leeds today?

Sign up to the Yorkshire Evening Post's email alerts