The future of the Hertford brewery is uncertain after McMullens announced that the company may be sold.

The Sunday Times reported yesterday that the family business was on the market for £200 million.

However, in a press release issued today (Monday), the company says that it is in the process of appointing financial advisers to "consider options for best realising the value of the company in order to provide liquidity for the shareholders".

It is believed that younger members of the McMullen family are reluctant to follow the career paths of their forebears and wish to diversify their interests.

A spokesman for the brewers said that plans for Hertford's new library would be unaffected by the sale.