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

J.W.Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd tin tray dating from 1978.

John Lees Founder of Manchester's Oldest Brewery

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 traded as J.W.Lees & Co. Brewers when John's grandson, John Willie Lees, took sole charge of the brewery in 1876.
A new improved brewhouse was rebuilt in 1878.
The Company traded as J.W, & T.Lees from the 1880s.
During the First World War the brewery experienced shortages of ingredients such as hops and barley. Many of the firm's men were comandeered to fight for their country. Despite these challenges Lees survived.

Between the Two World Wars

The Company was registered as J.W.Lees & Co. (Brewers) Ltd in 1936.
Just as it had during the Great War, JW Lees survived the difficulties of the Second World War, maintaining the quality of its beers and gaining a reputation for supporting the local community during the Manchester Blitz.
In 1954, the chairman John Lees-Jones was inclined to accept an offer from Hammonds United Breweries Ltd following the many difficult trading years after the war. However, his brother Richard Lee-Jones could not agree and in 1955 Dick, as he preferred to be called, bought out John.
A reconstructed Company, was re-registered in 1955. Richard Lee-Jones bought back the Company's share capital, incorprating it under single ownership, placing the brewery back as a family run business.
Richard Lees-Jones joined JW Lees in 1957 and was a significant figure in the Company's history. He played a key role in modernizing the brewery and expanding its operations. His leadership helped maintain the brewery's commitment to quality and tradition while also embracing new developments in brewing and distribution.

New Innovations and Still Independent

In 1970 the Company purchased Willoughby's wine & spirit business, although this business has now closed.
2018 witnessed the biggest change in JW Lees portfolio of beers when it installed a new ten-barrel micro-brewery, which became fully operational in 2023.
Over the years, JW Lees has won many awards for the quality of its beers including brewing medals in 1903, 1930, 1960, 1969, 1980, 1985, and 1990, an impressive total.
The latest award was in 2019 when JW Lees won Best Brewing Company at the publican awards.
The Greengate Brewery is still brewing independently with William Lees-Jones, representing the sixth generation of the family as its managing director.
The Company currently employs over 1,500 people in the brewery and within its estate of 150 public houses.