Thomas Usher & Son Ltd Round Tin

Thomas Usher & Son Ltd tin tray dating from the 1950s.

The Origins of the Company

The Cowgate Brewery on Campbell's Close in Edinburgh was operated by David Aikman & Co. from 1817 to 1828, and by Hutchison, Aikman & Co. from 1828 to 1831.
The brewery was acquired by James Usher and Cunningham in 1831, and traded as Usher & Co. from 1839.
From 1843 James Usher and his younger brother, Thomas, were joint partners in the business which traded as J. & T.Usher.

The Park Brewery

The firm moved to the Park Brewery on St. Leonard's Street in 1860.
In 1862 James died leaving Thomas as the sole owner of a successful business.
Thomas Usher & Son Ltd was registered in 1895 and Thomas died in 1896.
The Park Brewery, with 170 public houses, was acquired by Vaux & Associated Breweries Ltd of Sunderland in 1959.
The name was changed to Ushers Brewery Ltd in 1972.
By 1976 the Company employed 2,500 people and owned 235 tied houses.
From 1976, the Park Brewery was operated by Lorimer & Clark Ltd, which Vaux had acquired in 1946.
In 1980 the Company was acquired by Allied Breweries Ltd and Ushers Brewery Ltd went into liquidation.
The Park Brewery ceased brewing in 1981.

The manufaturer's mark states - Reginald Corfield Ltd Lombard Road London. S.W.19.