W.B.Thomson Ltd Round Black Backed Steel

W.B.Thomson Ltd black backed steel tray dating from the 1910s.

William Burns Thomson Founder

In 1895 W.B.Thomson acquired William Eadie's inn and former brewery on Moray Street in Blackford, near Perth.
William Burns Thomson ran a successful wine and spirits business with his brother Alexander in Perth.
William commissioned a new brewery and maltings on land at the rear of the premises.
An aerated water factory, one of the largest in Scotland, was also built on the East side of the site.
Whilst the brewery was being built William Thomson died, and so the work was completed by his trustees.

W.B.Thomson Ltd Registration

The brewery began operating in 1897 and in 1898 the Company was registered as W.B.Thomson Ltd.
By the early 1900s the firm ran into financial difficulties, which was a consequence of a slump within the brewing industry.
The aerated water and bottling activities were separated from the brewing operations, with the former merging with John Craik & Co., becoming Thomson Craik & Co. Ltd.
W.B.Thomson & Ltd went into liquidation in 1915 and brewing ceased.
In 1916 the Company was acquired by J.A.Davidson & Co. which was a brewer in Coldstream.
Davidson's sold the brewery to James Calder & Co. (Alloa) Ltd in 1920.
In 1931 Gleneagles Malting Ltd, the parent Company being Veda Ltd of Edinburgh, leased the premises in Blackford.
The brewhouse was only ever used as storage, although the Ministry of Supply requisitioned it during the Second World War.
Gleneagles Malting Ltd purchased the property outright in 1950, and the premises are still owned by Veda Ltd.

The manufacturer's mark states - Hancock & Corfield, Ltd London & Mitcham