Morrell's Brewery Ltd Round Tin

NOT OWNED
SKU
BT0310
Morrell's Brewery Ltd tin tray dating from the late 1970s. The Lion Brewery was based in Oxford, Oxfordshire.
Morrell's Brewery Ltd tin tray dating from the late 1970s. The Lion Brewery was established in Oxford in 1743 by Richard Tawney. After Richard's death his younger son, Edward, took over the running of the brewery in 1791. Mark and James Morrell joined Edward as partners of the business in 1797 and bought the business on his death in 1800. After Mark died in 1843 he left his entire estate to his brother James. In 1851 James transferred the business to his son, also named James. He died in 1863 and the family's assets, including the brewery, were put into the hands of Trustees. The Trustees ran the business from 1864 to 1938. From the 1870s until the early 1900s Morrell's redeveloped and extended the Lion Brewery but trading was difficult and the business lacked entrepreneurial flair. In 1925 James Morrell, great-grandson of his namesake, became Acting Brewery Manager and it was he who wound up the Trust and reformed the firm in 1938. The Company was registered as Morrell's Brewery Ltd in 1943. The next fifty years saw a determined effort to bring the Company up to date and survive the rapid changes occurring in the brewing industry. Despite a fire which ended its involvement in malting in 1956, and the closure of the bottling hall in 1985, investment in the brewhouse continued apace with upgrades in 1966 and 1971. The Company's future seemed bright but an acrimonious family dispute resulted in the closure of the Lion Brewery in 1998. Charles Eld, an 8th generation family member, had became Managing Director in 1988. He wanted to invest in the brewery but was uncerimoniously dismissed by other family shareholders in 1998 causing brewing to cease. Refresh UK Ltd purchased the beer brands and for a time Thomas Hardy Ltd of Burtonwood was contracted to brew them. Morrell's 132 tied public houses were purchased by Michael Cannon, owner of a USA hamburger chain, who then sold his pubco, Morrells of Oxford, to Greene King & Sons Ltd in 2002. Refresh UK Ltd was acquired by Marstons PLC and it still brews Morrell's Varsity ale. The Lion Brewery site was redeveloped for luxury apartments in 2002. Only the waterwheel and yellow brick chimney survived demolition.
More Information
Brewery Origin England
County Oxfordshire
Reverse Finish Standard
Tray Manufacturer Unknown
Tray Material Tin
Year Of Manufacture 1978
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