Warwicks & Richardsons Ltd (Owned by John Smith's Tadcaster Brewery Co. Ltd) Round Tin

Warwicks & Richardsons Ltd tin tray dating from the 1960s. The Tower Wharf Brewery was founded by Handley and Sketchley in Newark on Trent in 1766. The run down brewery was acquired by Richard Warwick in 1856 who, with his eldest son, could see its potential, and they continued to trade on the site until 1872. In 1870 Richard had purchased land on Northgate upon which he built a small malting. The site was extended in 1871 and the Northgate Brewery began production in 1872. Richard Warwick died in 1877 leaving his eldest son as the senior partner of the firm. In 1888 another of Richard's sons joined as a partner and the Company was registered as Richard Warwick & Sons Ltd. In 1890 Warwick's merged with Richardson, Earp & Slater which owned the Trent Brewery on Millgate in Newark on Trent, to form Warwicks & Richardsons Ltd. At the time of the amalgamation Warwick's & Richardson's employed 133 people. The newly formed Company was quick to expand and in 1892 it acquired Henry Jessop's Rutland Brewery, the Cromwell Brewery of Newark & Sheffield Breweries Ltd, and the Albion Brewery of McGeorge & Heppenstalls Ltd, all based in Newark on Trent. Acquisitions continued apace and in 1897 the Company purchased the Plant Brewery of Alfred M.Eadon & Co. Ltd of Doncaster with 16 public houses, and Thomas Stones' Home Brewery of Peterborough with 12 public houses. After the turn of the 20th century Warwick's acquired Morris' Rutland Brewery Ltd of Oakham with 19 public houses in 1905, the Alma Brewery of Robert Brassey Jones of Cambridge in 1911, and merged with Goodwin Brothers Ltd of Newark on Trent in 1919. It was not until 1955 when it made its final purchases, acquiring Smith & Co. (Oundle) Ltd with 83 public houses, and the Brampton Brewery Co. Ltd of Chesterfield with 142 public houses. Warwick's & Richardsons Ltd was acquired by John Smiths Tadcaster Brewery Co. Ltd in 1962 and brewing ceased in 1966. Most of the Northgate Brewery and Maltings are still standing. Some were converted into luxury flats. The tray featured was manufactured after Warwick's acquisition. John Smith's removed the Warwicks & Richardsons script that is displayed on a similar tray. The manufacturer's mark states - 6 MB Made in England