Stowmarket

Stowupland Rd, Stowmarket

Brothers John Wills & George Stevens founded their company in 1827 and then traded as the Stowmarket Ale Brewery. They also owned three local beer houses and offices in Union St. In 1857 they sold the business by auction together with 7 pubs and twenty leased properties.

A report in the Ipswich Journal** in Oct 1865 states :

To be sold by auction, the Stowmarket Brewery, substantially built, comprising every requirement for carrying on the business, including a 30 barrel copper, high pressure steam engine, and all the necessary fixed plant for doing a large and extensive trade. A comfortable dwelling house, stable, 2 cottages, and a large yard, well situatedin the centre of the town of Stowmarket, and close to the railway station; easy access to the corn markets of Bury, Ipswich and Norwich, and all parts of the Eastern region. The above property is in the occupation of Messrs. Phillips, who have carried on an extensive and steadily increasing business, the goodwill of which will be included in the sale, possession will be given on the 11th October 1865. At the same time will be sold in 11 Lots, the following valuable property: An excellent malt office, in Union Street, Stowmarket, with 120 coombs steep. The Baker's Arms and Royal William, in Stowmarket; the Wellington and the Retreat , in Stowupland; the Joiner's Arms, Bury; the Garden House, Rickenhall; a capital beer house, and 2 cottages at Combs; the White Horse at Hitcham; the Fox at Elmswell; and the Suffolk Ale Store at Yarmouth. At auction in October 1865 the Brewery was withdrawn when bidding stopped at £5050, however, it was put up again with Lot 2, the 120 coomb malting steep, and was knocked down, at £5850 to Messrs. Phillips Brothers, the present tenants.