Morgan's Brewery Co. Ltd Round Black Backed Steel

Morgan's Brewery Co. Ltd black backed steel tray dating from the 1920s. The Conisford Brewery, which later became known as the Old Brewery, was established on King Street, Norwich, as early as 1563. From 1720 the business was trading as the Old King Street Brewery. In 1844 the Morgan Brothers took over the firm, its Old Brewery and 54 public houses. The new Company traded as Morgan & Co. until 1887 when it was registered as Morgan's Brewery Co. Ltd with 188 public houses. The Company expanded under the family's control including the acquisition of a second brewery, Elijah Eyres Brewery Ltd Lady Bridge Brewery of Kings Lynn, in 1900, with 133 tied houses. By 1904 its estate totalled 600 tied houses. In 1942 the Old Brewery had to be rebuilt after being severely damaged by bombing during the war. The brewery eventually started brewing again in 1950. As a result of the war damage most brewing was transferred to the Lady Bridge Brewery in Kings Lynn and Morgan's two main rivals, Bullard & Sons Ltd and Steward & Patteson Ltd, also helped out brewing during this short-term crisis. Morgan's Brewery Co. Ltd was acquired jointly by Bullard & Sons Ltd and Steward & Patteson Ltd after it went into liquidation in 1961. Reportedly Morgan's 450 pubs were shared amongst the two breweries by splitting a deck of cards! The brewery was sold to Watney Mann Ltd in 1962 which was itself acquired by Grand Metropolitan Hotels Ltd in 1972. A new Company was formed in 1976 named the Norwich Brewery Ltd. Brewing ceased at the Old Brewery in 1985 and most of the buildings were demolished in 1989. The maufacturer's mark simply states a number - No 12526