J.W.Lees & Co. (Brewers) Ltd Square Tin

J.W.Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd tin tray dating from 1978. The Company was founded in 1828 when retired cotton mill manufacturer, John Lees, purchased land in Middleton and built the Greengate Brewery, from which the business still operates. The Company was named J.W.Lees & Co. Brewers when his grandson, John Willie Lees, took over running of the business in 1876. The brewhouse was rebuilt in 1878. The Company traded as J.W, & T.Lees from the 1880s. The Company was registered as J.W.Lees & Co. (Brewers) Ltd in 1936. A reconstructed Company was re-registered in 1955. The Greengate Brewery is still brewing independently. Current Managing Director, William Lees-Jones is from the sixth generation of the family.