Frederic Robinson Ltd Round Aluminium

Frederic Robinson Ltd aluminium tray dating from 1953.

Robinson's Early Beginnings

The business was founded in 1838 when William Robinson purchased the Unicorn Inn, in Lower Hillgate, Stockport, from Samuel Hole.
William's eldest son, George, brewed Robinsons ale there for the first time in 1849.
William's youngest son, Frederic, took over the running of the business in 1859.
Frederic built a warehouse at the rear of the Unicorn Inn increasing its brewing capacity, and increasing the firm's sales as a result.
From 1878 until his death in 1890, Frederic purchased Robinson's first public houses, 12 in all.
'Old Tom', a strong barley wine, was first brewed by Alfred Munton in 1899.
Robinson's steady expansion continued when it acquired a number of local businesses in the North West of England over the next 80 years.
Robinsons first acquisition was in 1905 when it purchased Sydney Pearson's Eagle Brewery of Stockport, with 4 public houses.
In 1908 bottling commenced in a new building located on the site. Robinsons was now a major employer in Stockport.
The firm purchased John Heginbotham Ltd of Stalybridge, with its Borough Brewery and 7 public houses, in 1915.

Frederic Ronbinson Ltd

The Company, with its Unicorn Brewery, was registered as Frederic Robinson Ltd in 1920.
The firm's famous Unicorn trade mark was registered in 1922.
Futher acquisitions included Schofield's Portland Brewery (Ashton-under-Lyne) Ltd, with 42 public houses, in 1925, Kay's Atlas Brewery Ltd of Ardwick, with 150 public houses, in 1929, and direct competitors Bell & Co Ltd of Stockport in 1949, where brewing continued until 1968, and operated as a bottling plant until 1975.
In 1943 Robinsons began its expansion into North Wales when the Black Lion pub was purchased in Abergele.
In 1958 William's great grandson, John Robinson, was knighted for political and public services.
A newly built packing centre was opened at Bredbury, in 1975
In more recent times the Company acquired Hartleys Ulverston Ltd in 1982, increasing its tied estate to 300 public houses. Brewing ceased at Hartleys in 1991 when all production was transferred to Stockport.
In 2010 £7m was invested in a new brew house.
The Unicorn Brewery is still operating independently, with 254 public houses, and is run by the fifth and sixth generations of the Robinson family.
The Company has recently announced that all brewing, bottling, and administrative operations will be transferred to its site at Bredbury, which currently houses Robinson's packing activities.

The manufacturer's mark states - Mermaid Aluminium British Made