Ushers of Trowbridge: Difference between revisions
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Post [[World War 2]], the company acquired Conigre House and gardens in Trowbridge, then the home of the local [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Club]], enabling it to doubled the scale of its brewery and bottling plant.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.cotswoldarch.org.uk/projects/projects_2009/trowbridge.htm|title=Brewery Quarter, Trowbridge|publisher=Cotswold Architecture|accessdate=2009-11-21}}</ref> |
Post [[World War 2]], the company acquired Conigre House and gardens in Trowbridge, then the home of the local [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Club]], enabling it to doubled the scale of its brewery and bottling plant.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.cotswoldarch.org.uk/projects/projects_2009/trowbridge.htm|title=Brewery Quarter, Trowbridge|publisher=Cotswold Architecture|accessdate=2009-11-21}}</ref> |
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Having dropped the apostrophe from its registered name in 1951,<ref name="BrewIG"/> in 1960 the company agreed to be merged with the acquisitive [[Watney Mann]]. The assets included the brewery sites in both London (soon closed) and Trowbridge, together with 900 pubs. In 1964, the company changed its registered name to Ushers Brewers Ltd.<ref name="BrewIG"/> |
Having dropped the apostrophe from its registered name in 1951,<ref name="BrewIG"/> in 1960 the company agreed to be merged with the acquisitive [[Watney Mann]]. The assets included the brewery sites in both London (soon closed) and Trowbridge, together with 900 pubs. In 1964, the company changed its registered name to Ushers Brewers Ltd.<ref name="BrewIG"/> Watney Mann itself merged with [[Grand Metropolitan]] Hotels in 1972.<ref>[http://www.quaffale.org.uk/php/brewery/754 Directory of UK Real Ale Breweries]</ref> |
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In 1990, a [[management buyout]] occurred which created a reconstituted Ushers Brewers Ltd, together with a footprint of wholly owned smaller pubs, deemed by Grand Metropolitan to be to small or unable of redevelopment. The new company began acquiring pubs to provide a distribution network, but by 1999 the brewery side of the business was, in accountants speak, "not cost effective" despite running at full capacity. The Trowbridge brewery site closed in 2000. |
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Merged with [[Watney Mann]] in 1960. Ownership transferred to [[Grand Metropolitan]] who accepted the offer of a management buy out in 1990, the brewery regaining independence and taking it's current name. The brewery was closed during the first months of 2000, as it was, in accountants speak, "not cost effective" despite running at full capacity. The company still owns the pub estate and renamed itself to [[Innspired Pubs]] plc. |
Merged with [[Watney Mann]] in 1960. Ownership transferred to [[Grand Metropolitan]] who accepted the offer of a management buy out in 1990, the brewery regaining independence and taking it's current name. The brewery was closed during the first months of 2000, as it was, in accountants speak, "not cost effective" despite running at full capacity. The company still owns the pub estate and renamed itself to [[Innspired Pubs]] plc. |
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Revision as of 15:04, 21 November 2009
Ushers of Trowbridge was a brewery located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
In 1824, Thomas Usher and his wife Hannah acquired a small brewery in Back Street, Trowbridge, renaming it Usher's Wiltshire Brewery. In 1844, the couples three sons joined the partnership, allowing the parents to retire in 1869. After this, the beers and brand developed a loyal following, facilitating a quick expansion of the company through the 19th century. In 1887, the partnership took over Fanshaw & Palmer of Donnington, Berkshire. This resulted in 1889 of the registration of Usher's Wiltshire Brewery Ltd to combine the two organisations. From its date of formation to World War 2, the company acquired some 15 independent breweries and their associated public house premises.[1]
Post World War 2, the company acquired Conigre House and gardens in Trowbridge, then the home of the local Liberal Club, enabling it to doubled the scale of its brewery and bottling plant.[2]
Having dropped the apostrophe from its registered name in 1951,[1] in 1960 the company agreed to be merged with the acquisitive Watney Mann. The assets included the brewery sites in both London (soon closed) and Trowbridge, together with 900 pubs. In 1964, the company changed its registered name to Ushers Brewers Ltd.[1] Watney Mann itself merged with Grand Metropolitan Hotels in 1972.[3]
In 1990, a management buyout occurred which created a reconstituted Ushers Brewers Ltd, together with a footprint of wholly owned smaller pubs, deemed by Grand Metropolitan to be to small or unable of redevelopment. The new company began acquiring pubs to provide a distribution network, but by 1999 the brewery side of the business was, in accountants speak, "not cost effective" despite running at full capacity. The Trowbridge brewery site closed in 2000.
Merged with Watney Mann in 1960. Ownership transferred to Grand Metropolitan who accepted the offer of a management buy out in 1990, the brewery regaining independence and taking it's current name. The brewery was closed during the first months of 2000, as it was, in accountants speak, "not cost effective" despite running at full capacity. The company still owns the pub estate and renamed itself to Innspired Pubs plc.
The former brewery equipment was sold for £1.5M to North Korea via German broker Uwe Oehms. Peter Ward, of brewing company Thomas Hardy Brewing and Packaging bought the plant, and arranged for a team from North Korea came to travel to Trowbridge to dismantle it. It now forms the core of the Taedonggang Beer brewery, located just outside Pyongyang.[4] In 2009, its new brew Taedong River Beer made international headlines after inspiring what is thought to be North Korean television's first beer advert.[5]
The renamed company Inspired Inns plc sold the site to developers, which part demolished and then redeveloped is now the Ushers Apartments.[6]
Today, beers brewed under the Usher name are brewed by the Wychwood Brewery for Refresh UK.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Lesley Richmond, Alison Turton. The Brewing industry: a guide to historical records. Manchester University Press. ISBN 0719030323.
- ^ "Brewery Quarter, Trowbridge". Cotswold Architecture. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ Directory of UK Real Ale Breweries
- ^ "How Ushers' Trowbridge brewery is now the toast of North Korea". Wiltshire Times. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ "North Korea launches beer advert". Wiltshire Times. 2009-07-03. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ "Ushers Apartments". Newlands Homes. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
- ^ "Ushers of Trowbridge PLC". The Directory of Real Ale Brewers. Retrieved 2009-11-21.