Records of John Fowler & Co Ltd, brewers, Prestonpans, Scotland
- Reference:GB 248 JF
- Dates of Creation:1907-1986
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:0.26 linear metres (2 boxes)
Scope and Content
- Corporate records, 1930–1969;
- Shareholding records, 1958–1968;
- Financial records, 1890–1962;
- Production records, 1931;
- Sales records, 1931–1937;
- Staff records, 1931–c1945;
- Property records, 1960;
- Promotional material, 1925–1960;
- Photographs, c1985;
- Promotional material, 1931–1960;
- Artefacts, undated;
- Historical notes, 1986.
Administrative / Biographical History
The business was established in about 1720 in a former whisky distillery in Prestonpans, Scotland. By 1744 the brewery was in the hands of Robert Fowler who was succeeded by his son, John Fowler. The site was extensively reconstructed in 1828. John Fowler died in 1839 and the management passed to his nephew, Robert Hislop, who remained the sole proprietor until the White family acquired the business in 1865. John Fowler & Co Ltd was registered as a limited liability company in 1865 to acquire the firm of the same name. The company, along with 36 licensed houses and 2 hotels, was acquired in April 1960 by Northern Breweries of Great Britain Ltd, York, England, who simultaneously acquired two other Scottish breweries, namely, William Murray & Co Ltd, Edinburgh, Scotland, and George Younger & Son Ltd, Alloa, Scotland. These three breweries were then grouped into a newly formed company called Caledonian Breweries Ltd, which in May 1960 became United Caledonian Breweries Ltd, when the companies of John Jeffrey & Co Ltd, Edinburgh, and James Aitken & Co Ltd, Falkirk, Scotland, were added to the group. United Caledonian Breweries Ltd operated as a management company for the Scottish interests of Northern Breweries of Great Britain Ltd (later United Breweries Ltd), York, England, and London, England, which merged in 1962 with Charrington & Co Ltd, London, England, through a holding company, Charrington United Breweries Ltd, London, England. Brewing ceased at Prestonpans in March 1962, however, the Maltings were used for a little longer until the entire brewery closed in 1964. John Fowler & Co Ltd was finally dissolved in 1989. The brewery buildings and goods yard have since been converted into residential and commercial units that include houses called Fowler's Court, while the Maltings have become Prestonlinks Shopping Centre.
Arrangement
The material is arranged according to the Scottish Brewing Archive classification scheme used within all SBA collections.
Access Information
Access to records within this collection is open, however an appointment may be required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk
Acquisition Information
Morfax Ltd and Tennent Caledonian Breweries Ltd.
Other Finding Aids
See also University of Glasgow Collections
File level list available in searchroom.
Alternative Form Available
No known copies of this material
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents. Applications for permission to quote should be sent to Archives and Special Collections, please email: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk
Appraisal Information
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures.
Custodial History
The collection was previously stored with the rest of the Scottish Brewing Archive at Heriot–Watt University. It moved to the University of Glasgow in 1991. Custody of the Scottish Brewing Archive was transferred to Glasgow University Archive Services in 2008.
Accruals
None expected.
Related Material
- GB 248 JA: Records of John Aitchison & Co Ltd;
- GB 248 CBL: Records of Caledonian Breweries Ltd;
- GB 248 CUB: Records of Charrington United Breweries Ltd;
- GB 248 JJ: Records of John Jeffrey & Co Ltd;
- GB 248 WMC: Records of William Murray & Co Ltd;
- GB 248 GY: Records of George Younger & Son Ltd;
- GB 248 T: Records of Tennent Caledonian Breweries Ltd;
- GB 248 UCB: Records of United Caledonian Breweries Ltd
- GB 248 ARTEFACTS: Scottish Brewing Archive Artefacts Collection;
- GB 802302 no 619: Records of United Breweries Ltd (private collection, see Richmond & Turton, 'The brewing industry', 1990);
- GB 802302: Records of Charrington United Breweries Ltd (private collection, see Richmond & Turton, 'The brewing industry', 1990);
- GB 802302 BAC: Records of Charrington & Co Ltd, brewers (private collection, see Richmond & Turton, 'The brewing industry', 1990).
Location of Originals
This material is original
Subjects
Corporate Names
Geographical Names