The
partnership of Adnams and Sargeant
became a limited company in 1890
and the capital which was raised
from new shareholders was invested
in rebuilding the brewery and constructing
a number of local hotels.
By
the early 1900s Ernest realised
he'd overstretched himself and decided
to introduce a new partner, Pierse
Loftus, with a view to raising additional
capital. It was a propitious move.
Under Pierse's influence, the business
grew by acquisition and was producing
17,000 barrels a year over the following
decades. The Loftus family has continued
to be assocated with Adnams to the
present day.
The
revival of 'real ale' in the late
1960s gave Adnams a further boost,
resulting in continued brewery expansion.
By 1984, several of the cottages
in Church Street, as well as the
former Brickmaker's Arms Pub, had
been encompassed within the brewery,
but their external appearance was
largely retained and their facades
still deceive passers-by until they
peer through the windows at the
conveyor belts!
In
recent years Adnams has continued
to go from strength to strength,
increasing production capacity by
constant investment. It is Southwold's
largest employer and Britain's fastest-growing
beer brand.
Use the links
below to explore the history of
Southwold’s other industries.
Brewing
Hosiery
and bedding manufacture
Iron
founding
Milling
Public
Utilities (Gas, water, electricity)
Rope
making
Salt
manufacture
Shops and Trades
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