Basford

It is with great regret I have to declare that, being from the Black Country, I never did try the beers from this brewery. I say regret because whenever you mention 'Shippo's' to anyone from the city of Nottingham they all say how much they enjoyed the ales. Sad therefore that the much missed large concern should fall victim to another takeover by the despicable Greenhall Whitley who also robbed us Black Country folk of our beloved Simpkiss Brewery. The Star Brewery - which still stands today - operated in New Basford. The firm was founded by James Shipstone in 1852. Visible for miles around, the Red Star of the brewery became a very familiar landmark. Independent status was lost in 1978 when Greenall's of Warrington acquired the company. Just like other Greenhall takeovers, the Star Brewery came under threat from the very beginning. The Warrington firm closed the Wem Brewery in Shropshire, Davenport's in Birmingham and August 31st 1990 the company announced that brewing would cease at Basford. Proof, if any were needed, that they were only really interested in the estate of 280 pubs. The Star Brewery finally closed in 1991.
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