Tomson & Wotton Ltd (Part of Combined Breweries (Holdings) Ltd Square Tin

Tomson & Wotton Ltd tin tray dating from the 1960s.

The Tomson & Wotton Connection

Britain's oldest brewery on Queen Street in Ramsgate, was founded in 1634. In 1635 Robert Sampson sold the brewhouse, malthouse and stables, to Thomas Tomson in 1680.
The Tomson's owned the business for many generations and in 1854 they employed Thomas Wotton as a brewer.
In 1867 Wotton became a partner and as a result of his influence the business experienced its greatest expansion.
In 1878 Tomson & Wotton acquired local Ramsgate rival the Cannon Brewery Co. with 12 public houses. The Cannon Brewery continued operating until 1920.
In 1882 Wotton was promoted to managing partner.

Tomson & Wotton Ltd Registration

The Company was registered as Tomson & Wotton Ltd in 1892 and the brewery was largely rebuilt.
In 1905 the firm produced its first chilled and filtered bottled beers in quarts and pints.
By 1909 the estate totalled 70 public houses.
Further substantial alterations to the brewery, after the First World War, resulted in the brewery becoming one of the most modern in the country.
Although the Second World War was a disruptive period for the firm, once over, sales growth was dynamic.
A modern cold room was added for its bottled beers.
In 1952 Tomson & Wotton Ltd amalgamated with Gardner & Co. Ltd of Ash, which owned 46 public houses, to form Combined Breweries (Holdings) Ltd.
The Company's brewing activities were concentrated at Ramsgate, and the Ash Brewery was closed in 1954, although ginger beer production continued on the site until 1962.

Whitbread & Co. Ltd Takeover and Closure

The brewery was acquired by Whitbread & Co. Ltd in 1968 and was closed that year.

The manufacturer's mark states - Hancock Corfield & Waller Ltd, Mitcham. London.
The tray featured was produced when the Company was named Combined Breweries (Holdings) Ltd.