William Cooper & Co. Ltd Round Black Backed Steel

William Cooper & Co. Ltd black backed steel tray dating from the late 1930s. The business was founded by William Cooper in 1786. He operated at the East Street Brewery in Southampton until 1889 when brewing was transferred to Bell's former Itchen Brewery in Wooston. In 1890 the adjacent High Street Brewery of Vincent & Elliott was taken over and closed. The Company was registered as William Cooper & Co. Ltd in 1894. In 1900 a new brewery at York Buildings was built within the curtilage of both the East Street Brewery and the High Street Brewery. The new East Street Brewery was a distinctive red brick building which featured a tall chimney. The East Street Brewery, with 125 public houses, was acquired by Watney, Combe, Reid & Co. Ltd in 1943. Brewing continued under Watney's ownership until 1950 when it was closed. The brewery buildings survived until 1965 when it was demolished and shops were built on the site. The manufacturer's mark states - Reginald Corfield Ltd Lombard Road London S.W.19.