BEER lovers are celebrating after a 17-month battle to reopen Burton's museum of brewing led to a deal to save it.

Molson Coors closed the museum in June 2008 after deciding it could no longer afford to support the venue – Britain's only major beer museum – as it was costing £1m a year.

Since its closure, campaigners including Burton MP Janet Dean have lobbied Molson Coors to find a way to keep the historic museum open.

And now the Burton brewery has awarded a 25-year lease to Planning Solutions, a company with a wide portfolio of leisure activities, to run the museum.

Molson Coors will make a £200,000 investment as well as providing an annual £100,000, while charging a low rent.

Planning Solutions' chief executive John Lowther said he was delighted a deal had been agreed.

He said: "Burton has a proud position in not only the UK's brewing industry, but throughout the world.

"I know from our many discussions with local people that this will be widely welcomed and it will provide a much-needed boost for tourism and local employment."

John Polglass, director of business and property services at Molson Coors, said the brewery had long hoped to reopen the museum.

He said: "Molson Coors has always been committed to finding an organisation that can provide a long-term future for a brewing museum in Burton.

"Planning Solutions has a great track record in running visitor attractions and we are delighted to support their exciting plans to put Burton on the UK tourist map."

Among the campaigners fighting to keep the museum open was Roger Protz, editor of The Good Beer Guide.

He said the deal was terrific news for beer fans across the globe.

"This is exciting news and an historic day for Burton-on-Trent," he said.

"Burton changed the face of brewing in the 19th century with India Pale Ale and then Pale Ale for the domestic market – the first pale beers brewed anywhere in the world.

"Brewers came to Burton from Austria, Bavaria and Bohemia to see how pale beer was made and used the knowledge to fashion the first golden lagers.

"The museum will celebrate this rich heritage but it will also be a truly national centre that will celebrate beer styles from all over country.

"All beer lovers should raise a glass in celebration."

Planning Solution wide-ranging stable of leisure attractions includes Conkers in the New Forest, the Robin Hood Experience in Nottingham and Trentham Gardens near Stoke-on-Trent.