The Red Lion is first mentioned in 1540. In 1737 William Turner owned the inn whilst Simon Mayes took over the maltings. In 1758 the malt office and kiln at 20 High St was "belonging to, but separate from" the inn. Later in 1779, Hannah Turner sold the inn to John Marriott (grocer & draper) and sometime soon afterwards the inn closed, but the maltings and the brewery continued.

This tavern was only ever part of a large grouping of malting and residential buildings. In 1727 a William Carter pub inventory reveals the business comprised a kitchen, parlour, cellar, brew-house, 3 bed chambers, a stable and barn.

In 1860 the adjacent malt factory (20 High St) was rebuilt by George Stewart who sold it in 1867. Later this business was called the Needham Market Steam Brewery (run by George Clowes) and continued until about 1913 (last listed in 1904).

Later it was part of the Malga Factory and rebuilt in white brick. Now used as shops and residential.

(information from book "Needham Market Pubs" by Desmond and Shelagh Herring)

The building dates from the early or mid 16th century.