Pictured: Dave and Keith Bott (left and right) owners of the expanding Titanic Brewery

A successful Stoke-on-Trent brewery is looking to expand or relocate after outgrowing its current Burslem base.

Titanic Brewery has expanded rapidly in recent times and is now operating at capacity at its site at Callender Place, Burslem.

The company is in negotiations with Stoke-on-Trent City Council about either planning a move to a new site or expanding through a remodelling of the Callender Place industrial estate.

But Managing Director Keith Bott today pledged his determination to stay loyal to the Burslem area if Titanic needs to move.

Keith Bott brought Titanic Brewery, along with his brother Dave, from the receivers in 1985.

The brewery has grown rapidly and now has 20 employees at Callender Place and another 130 in its six pubs.

Production has risen from just seven barrels a week to around 2.3 million pints of beer a year.

Speaking at the Etruria Rotary Club Big Breakfast, Keith said: "When we moved into our current home in 2002, I said that at least we won't have to move again as I thought it was plenty big enough.

"Now we have outgrown the space available and are ready to look at alternatives, either by finding a new site, or expanding our current base."

Keith bought Titanic Brewery at the age of 21, having worked for the previous owner, John Pazio.

He said: "People say I was brave, but at that age I had little to lose. The really brave people are those in their forties who start a business while having all the responsibilities a family brings."

Titanic Brewery recently opened its, sixth pub, the Roebuck Hotel, Leek, having had just one until 2007.

Keith said: We are committed to the pub business and will look to expand further where appropriate premises become available in and around North Staffordshire.

"We have been opening pubs against a background of closures. But there is no magic formula, we pride ourselves on creating welcoming pubs which sell good local produce and are used by customers of all ages."

"Pubs are this country's original social network and we should try to keep pubs open where ever possible. They are hubs of the community, providing a vital role and a base for many activities and events," added Keith who has risen to play a central role in the industry as Chairman of SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers.