Wilson’s Brewery Ltd (Part of Watney Mann Ltd) Small Round Tin

Wilson's Brewery Ltd tin tray dating from the 1960s.

Origins of the Newton Heath Brewery

The business was founded in Newton Heath by John Collinson and George Simpson in 1834, and traded as Collinson & Simpson.
The firm was acquired by the partnership Henry Charles Wilson and Thomas Philpott in 1865, who traded as Wilson & Philpott.
By 1880 Henry Wilson was the sole owner of the business, and he traded as Henry Charles Wilson & Co.

Wilson's Brewery Ltd

The Company was registered as Henry Charles Wilson & Co. Ltd in 1894, and later that year was renamed Wilson's Brewery Ltd.
In 1949 Wilson's Brewery Ltd merged with local competitor Walker & Homfray's Ltd to form Wilson & Walker Breweries Ltd.
Walker's Woodside Brewery was closed shortly afterwards.
The Company name reverted back to Wilson's Brewery Ltd in 1952.

Watney Mann Ltd Takeover

The Newton Heath Brewery amalgamated with Watney Mann Ltd in 1960, with 1,124 public houses.
Watney Mann Ltd was acquired by Grand Metropolitan Hotels Ltd in 1972.
In 1985 Grand Metropolitan Hotels Ltd merged Samuel Webster & Sons Ltd with Wilson's Brewery Ltd to form Samuel Webster & Wilsons Ltd.
Brewing ceased at Wilson's Newton Heath Brewery in 1986 when all production of Wilson's beers was transferred to Webster's Fountain Head Brewery.
Wilsons Original Bitter and Wilsons Mild were brewed in Halifax
After Wilson's beers ceased to be brewed in Halifax, both Morland & Co. Ltd, and the Mansfield Brewery Co. Ltd, kept the name alive.
The Wilson's brand disappeared in 1998.