Programme Five: 30.49

J W Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd, Greengate Brewery, Middleton Junction, Manchester.

Interviews from the brewery include Vice Chairman & Managing Director Christopher Lee Jones, Director Secretary Harry Wild, Head Brewer Peter Cole, Bottling Manager Bobby Knox, and brewery employees Clifford Taylor and Jimmy Mack.  And finally, tenant Mike Healey from the Horton area.  Researcher Neil Richardson.

John Willie Lees is still a family-owned brewery, serving cask conditioned ale to all of their 175 pubs – most of which are in the north of Manchester. The brewery is also very active in the free trade.

Music:

‘I Likes a Drop of Good Ale’

‘The British Toper’

Programme Six:  30.25

Frederic Robinson Ltd, Unicorn Brewery, Stockport, Cheshire.

Interviews from the brewery include the Chairman Peter Robinson, David Robinson Head Brewer, Stan Bradbury Bottling Manager, Licensed Tenancy Manager Bert Sumble, and Bet and Ron West, licensees.  Researcher Neil Richardson.

Robinson’s is still a family brewery with 400 tied houses, mostly in southern Manchester and Cheshire.  The company bought Hartley’s of Ulverston in 1982 and closed the brewery in 1991.  Robinson’s enjoy a popular free trade across the country.

Music: 

‘I Likes a Drop of Good Ale’

‘The British Toper’