PUBLICANS around the region continued to grieve the loss of brewing legend Tolly Cobbold, a day after The Evening Star revealed it was to close.But it was not all doom and gloom at the beleaguered Ipswich brewery as the managing director confirmed beer will continue to flow for one last summer.

PUBLICANS around the region continued to grieve the loss of brewing legend Tolly Cobbold, a day after the Evening Star revealed it was to close.

But it was not all doom and gloom at the beleaguered Ipswich brewery as Bob Wales, Tolly's managing director, confirmed beer will continue to flow for one last summer.

It has also emerged negotiations have already started to convert part of Cliff Brewery into luxury "loft-style" flats.

Michael Collins of PJ Mcginty, in Northgate Street, said: "It's a terrible shame that those lovely old breweries are going out of business. More and more they are being taken over by the big buyers."

It was announced yesterday brewing on the site, part of a tradition dating back nearly 300 years, is to close as part as a merger with Essex-based brewers, Ridley & Sons.

Mr Wales said: "The exact decision on when brewing will cease has not been made. My best guess is the autumn. It's still very much business as usual here. We are a successful distribution and warehousing company.

"It's not all doom and gloom."

Most of the company's 70-strong workforce will keep their jobs, with the company's distribution operation continuing from warehousing near the brewery.

Mike Smith, head of development at Ipswich Borough Council said talks were underway between Tolly Cobbold and an unnamed developer for the flats conversion.