Some history of Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd. of Liverpool in Lancashire and Stone in Staffordshire.

Breweries | Staffordshire | Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd.

The origins of this brewery can be traced back to Newcastle-under-Lyme. As a result of an Enclosure Act of 1782, William Bent operated a brewery on land known as The Marsh, just to the east of the town. This area would remain a stronghold of brewing activity in the town during the mid-19th century with a number of brewery concerns based around Water Street.¹

© Crown Copyright. Reproduced with kind permission of the National Library of Scotland under the Creative Commons Attribution licence.

This map extract from 1875 shows brewery buildings in the Water Street area of Newcastle-under-Lyme. I would imagine that some of these buildings were a legacy of the enterprise of William Bent. A map dated 1898 shows that much of these buildings had been demolished. By the end of the 19th century the principle brewery was that of Frederick J. Ridgway & Sons on Lower Street, close to Smithfield Market.

When an auction for the brewery was held at the Roebuck Inn at Newcastle-under-Lyme in March 1824, the sale notice stated that the brewery had "for upwards of thirty years had carried on under the firm of William Bent and Company." It would seem therefore that he had been producing beer since the early 1790s. The sale notice stated that the complex established by William Bent was held under a Building Lease from the Trustees of Newcastle Marsh for a term of two hundred years from the first day of January 1790. From this one can adduce that the business was up and running soon after this date.

The sale notice does provide some detail on the brewery complex. For example, it was stated that brewing apparatus was driven by a new steam engine. The extensive range of buildings consisted of two maltkilns, capable of wetting one hundred and sixty Winchester bushels of barley, a dwelling house, a large and commodious yard, stabling for five horses, and sheds for twenty cows. The sale was to include a large parcel of adjoining freehold land which was then in the occupation of William Baddeley, maltster, a tenant who had been given notice to quit. Also being offered at auction was a freehold public-house called the Duke of Wellington, located on Merrill Street.²

Extract of a Sale Notice for the brewery established by William Bent and Company at Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The list of persons from whom particulars of the auction lots could be obtained is quite illuminating. The list included John Bent, brewer at Liverpool, Thomas Bent, brewer at Manchester, and William Bent, brewer at Macclesfield. These were three of the sons of William Bent of Stoneyfields at Wolstanton. Their father died in 1820, the brewery being subsequently put up for auction. The premises were seemingly not sold but were occupied by Charles Cox and Company. The sons put the brewery on the market again in 1828.³

Born in 1793, John Bent was the eldest son and moved to Liverpool to make his fortune as a brewer. This he managed to do, along with becoming an important public figure in the growing port. In October 1823 he married Elizabeth Davenport at the Church of Saint John at Burslem. She was the daughter of John Davenport of Westwood Hall near Leek. The couple had only one child, a daughter named Harriet Elizabeth.

Sir John Bent in civic robes, painted by Philip Westcott. Painting forms part of the Walker Collection.

When John Bent died in August 1857 the Liverpool Mercury wrote that his passing "will be received with regret by all classes of our fellow townsmen, in who estimation the deceased stood deservedly high, his gentlemanly manners, liberal and open disposition, and frankness of character having earned for him general respect." The brewery owner was for many years an alderman for West Derby ward. In 1850 he was elected chief magistrate for this borough. When serving as the Mayor of Liverpool he was knighted by Queen Victoria. The above portrait painting of Sir John Bent in civic robes was painted by Philip Westcott and presented to Lady Bent by the members of the council.⁴ This painting now forms part of the collection of the Walker Gallery. The memorial to Sir John Bent, a Grade II-listed structure, stands in Toxteth Park Cemetery.⁵

© Crown Copyright. Reproduced with kind permission of the National Library of Scotland under the Creative Commons Attribution licence.

Sir John Bent would have commuted from his home on Rake Lane, Edge Hill, to the brewery at 30 Johnson Street. Following his death, and with no son to continue the business, the firm passed to his brother Rowland Bent. I believe he was already managing the firm and that his son, also named William Bent, was working as a brewer.

Extract of a Sale Notice for the brewery established by William Bent and Company at Newcastle-under-Lyme.

As can be seen from the above sale notice, Rowland Bent had moved from his residence at Bootle to occupy his late brother's home at Rake Lane. The sale notice also states that the reason for the sale was that he was leaving Liverpool. He would enjoy a long retirement, first at Tupsley near Hereford,⁶ later moving to Coldbrook Park at Abergavenny where he died in April 1881.⁷

On the departure of Rowland Bent, son William stepped into the breach, along with his brother Edward. However the trading name of the business was Messrs. R. Bent & Co. Due to serious illness, Edward Bent decided to step down in the late 1880s. The remaining partner, William Bent, wishing to relieve himself of the responsibility of carrying on so extensive a concern, decided to transfer the firm to a limited liability company. The business was incorporated in July 1889 as Bent's Brewery Company Ltd. Below are published details of the share issue.

Extract from Page 3 of the Liverpool Mercury published on Thursday July 18th, 1889.

The prospectus detailed the board of directors. William Theodore Bent was to join the board after the share allotment but in a more back seat role. Edward James Chevalier was to be appointed managing director. He had been actively engaged in the management of the company for over 26 years. Other members of the board were Edward Johns Bird [managing director of Messrs. Ind Coope and Co., Limited, Burton-on-Trent] and resident of Orgeave Hall at Lichfield, Daniel I. Flattely J.P. [Messrs. Barber and Co., brewers], Manchester, and Walter Glynn, ship-owner, 20 Water Street, Liverpool, member of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.

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The prospectus informed potential shareholders that the property to be taken over included the freehold brewery in Johnson Street, the freehold wine and spirit stores in Fontenoy Street, 90 fully-licensed public-houses and hotels in Liverpool and the neighbourhood, of which 62 were freehold, 25 long leaseholds, and 3 copyhold, 3 beer houses and one off-licence. There were also other houses held under leases of 14 years and under, along with some houses held under yearly tenancies.⁸

I am not sure if William Bent attended the first annual meeting of the shareholders held in March 1890. He died shortly afterwards on July 18th. At the meeting the report of the directors showed a net profit of £27,291. and they announced a proposal to pay a dividend on the ordinary shares of 10 per cent, and the placing of £5,000 to a reserve fund. The chairman said the sales for the past year had exceeded those of the previous twelve months. However, as the trade of the company was entirely within the tied trade, he stated that the only way of extending the business was by the acquisition of new property. The board also proposed to re-build the brewery for a sum under £10,000 in order to increase efficiency and economical gains. The motion was carried.⁹

At the second annual meeting held on March 4th, 1891, it was announced that Herbert Bannister and Thomas Montgomery were to join the board of directors. The reason for the latter appointment was that during the year his brewery at Stone, along with the estate of tied-houses, had been acquired. This was achieved via the increase of the share capital of the company to £500,000 by the issue of new preference six per cent, cumulative shares of £10 each, and new ordinary shares of £10 each, along with borrowing on behalf of the company of a further sum of £200,000 by the issue of new debentures. And so, after a gap of over sixty years, the Bent name was to be involved with brewing in Staffordshire.

Although based in Stone, the brewery established by Thomas Montgomery was something of a marketing ploy, though others may call it a deception. Unlike the Bent family who were already cash-rich before moving to Liverpool, Thomas Montgomery was very much a self-made man. He was an entrepreneur who seemingly propelled himself to an important figure in the brewing industry with some rapidity.

Thomas Montgomery was from an Irish family that had migrated to Liverpool. Born around 1855 he was the son of Charles Montgomery and Mary Mullin. His father was a house painter and Thomas himself became a painter and decorator. His entry into the licensed trade followed his relationship with Mary Mulloy. She was the daughter of Roger Mulloy, brewer, publican and owner of a number of public-houses in the Liverpool area.¹⁰ Thomas Montgomery married Mary Mulloy at St. Paul's Church at Southport in September 1878.¹¹ Probably through the help of his father-in-law, Thomas was soon running The Woodman on Tithebarn Street.¹²

Within a decade Thomas Montgomery had built up a brewing enterprise and operated a number of public-houses. He was seemingly a man of boundless enthusiasm and became universally popular. Not that everything he touched turned to gold - his affairs were something of a rollercoaster ride. This was summarised succinctly in an obituary following his early death in June 1911 : "Thomas Montgomery, was one of the best-known and best-liked in the city of Liverpool. In brewing circles for many years he held a unique position. Having built up a large concern on his own account he subsequently sold it to Bent's Brewery Company. He also built up the business of the Chester Lion Brewery to large dimensions. His energies found scope in other enterprises. He acquired the hotel and adjacent gardens at Eastham, "the Richmond of the Mersey," and ran the steam ferry service in connection therewith, though, unfortunately, prosperity did not shine on the enterprise. In coal mining also he had a share, sinking an experimental shaft in the neighbourhood of Bidston. This also did not yield the results expected. Mr. Montgomery, however, suffered his reverses with a buoyant spirit, and was cheery in spite of them, and this and his good nature and responsiveness endeared him to a very wide circle." ¹³

It is thought that Thomas Montgomery stocked the popular beers sold by John Joule & Sons Ltd. His wheeze was to set up another brewery at Stone and rather naughtily create the impression that they were from the established Joule's company. Things got ugly and, in November 1888, Thomas Montgomery had to appear in the Chancery Division of the High Court when John Joule & Sons Ltd. took action against Messrs. Montgomery to defend their distinctive Red Cross trademark. The case was first heard on November 9th, 1888 but went to appeal in February 1889. The background to the legal case was that Messrs. Montgomery were constructing a new brewery in Stone, the traditional stronghold of John Joule & Sons Ltd. They named the new enterprise the Stone Brewery and rather blatantly adopted a trademark very similar to that of the plaintiffs. In addition to calling the beers "Stone Ale" their new trademark used the initials of Thomas Montgomery with the T being a large red symbol, conveying a rather confusing message to the consumer.¹⁴

Thomas Montgomery decided to appeal against the decision of Justice Chitty to restrain him from using the words "Stone Ale" in connection with ale brewed by his firm. John Joule & Sons Ltd. had registered their trade marks in 1880 and told the Lord Justices that they added the words "Stone Ale" in July 1888, claiming they had used those words for 27 years prior to August, 1875. The Lord Justices were told that "Thomas Montgomery, a licensed victualler in Liverpool, having determined to start the business of a brewer, purchased for the purpose a site in the town of Stone and that his builder or architect put up board announcing that the building to be erected was to be called Montgomery's Stone Brewery and produced cards using the "Stone Ale" words on trade cards." The Lord Justices upheld the decision regarding the use of "Stone Ale" but considered the use of "Stone Brewery" or "Montgomery's Stone Brewery" to be just about sustainable. However, the Court expressed the opinion that the actions of Thomas Montgomery was to represent his ale as brewed by the plaintiffs, John Joule & Sons Ltd. The costs of the appeal were given against Thomas Montgomery.¹⁵ He was perhaps relieved to dispose of the brewery at Stone whilst Bent's, through the acquisition of related houses, were no doubt keen to add to their tied-estate.

The annual profits of the company rose steadily throughout the 1890s and the shareholders were rewarded with decent dividends. The brewery was reconstructed in two phases at the turn of the 20th century.¹⁷

Although board director, Thomas Montgomery, had sold his brewery at Stone, along with an estate of tied-houses, he was still in possession of a large number of public-houses, both personally and through his ownership of the Chester Lion Brewery Co. Ltd. This business had suffered a major setback in the scare surrounding arsenical poisoning in their beers through the use of invert sugars. A sale was agreed on December 16th, 1901, though the sale was not finalised until 1902 after being announced at their annual general meeting. However, at the end of 1901 the chairman of the Chester Lion Brewery Company issued a circular to the shareholders, in which he stated that the board had entered into a contract for sale of the goodwill and properties owned by the firm. The price to be paid to the company by Bent's was £165,600, but in addition to this they were also acquiring allied business property, bringing the total purchase price to over a quarter of a million. As a result, the whole business of the Chester Lion Brewery Company would in future be directed from the headquarters of Bent's Company in Liverpool.¹⁸ From their combined purchases of the tied-houses under the stewardship of Thomas Montgomery, Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd. had added considerably to their portfolio during a period when many regional brewers were consolidating their position.

Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd. announced the acquisition at their annual general meeting held in February 1902. The arrangements requisite for the transfer of the businesses were already being carried through. It was also announced that redevelopment of the brewery had also been completed and was in full use.¹⁹ 1902 was also the year in which the brewery manager, James Seddon, passed away.²⁰ The total cost of the brewery rebuild was £55,665. Combined with the cost of acquiring the Chester Lion Brewery Co. Ltd., the company opted for another share issue in 1904.²¹

During 1903, Edward Holt found it necessary, in view of his many public engagements, to resign his seat on the board, and the directors appointed the wine and spirit merchant, Percy Vardon Churton, of Oxton, Birkenhead, in his place.

Former Montgomery's New Brewery operated by Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd. of Liverpool. Image courtesy of Staffordshire Past Track.

Rather than centralise or concentrate all production at Liverpool, Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd. continued to operate the former Montgomery & Co. brewery at Stone. Indeed, following their acquistion of the Chester Lion Brewery Co. Ltd. the brewer, Thomas Herbert Wall, was going to a position at a Burnley brewery on an equal salary but the chairman was so keen to retain his services he offered him the position of brewer at the Stone brewery, the interview taking place at Chester Railway Station.²² As it turned out, the retention of the Stone brewery would prove critical during World War 2 when, through heavy bombing of Liverpool, production was moved to the Staffordshire site.

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Walter Glynn, one of the original directors when Bent's Brewery Company Ltd. was incorporated in July 1889, died in March 1905, at a time when he was vice-chairman. The resident of Lydiate, Willaston, near Birkenhead, headed the firm of Messrs. John Glynn and Son, ship-owners, of Liverpool, and was also a chairman of the Reliance Marine Insurance Company, and managing directer of Frederick Leyland and Co.²³

In the same year that Walter Glynn passed away, Edward Johns Bird, the company's chairman and another original director, died in October at the age of 72. It was subsequently announced that John Sutherland Harmood-Banner, M.P. for Everton, had consented to fill the vacancy on the directorate of Bent's Brewery Company. For some years he had been a trustee for the debenture holders of the company.²⁴ A justice of the peace and deputy lieutenant for Cheshire, he had been appointed High Sheriff of Cheshire in 1902. Chairman of the Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Co. Limited, he served as the Lord Mayor of the City of Liverpool in 1912, and was knighted in 1913.²⁵

Plaque commemorating Sir Archibald Salvidge at Queensway Tunnel portal.

At the 17th annual general meeting, held in February 1906, Archibald Tutton Salvidge J.P. was appointed a managing director to act in conjunction with Edward James Chevalier, who was by now also a magistrate.²⁶ Later in the Edwardian period Archibald Tutton Salvidge was appointed managing director, a position he held until his death in 1928 at Braxted, his residence at Hoylake. He was made an honorary freeman the City of Liverpool just after he had carried the new Mersey Tunnel Bill through all its stages. Royal recognition of his public service took the form of a knighthood, conferred in 1916.²⁷ Four years later he was created K.B.E., and 1922 was sworn on the Privy Council. As Chairman of the Liverpool Working Men's Conservative Association, he wielded considerable political power and was dubbed "The King Of Liverpool." ²⁸

Like many other competing brewery concerns, there were some lean years prior to the First World War. However, during the conflict the company boasted good profits with year-on-year increases in sales. Although no large acquisitions were made, the company continued to buy individual houses that came on the market. One example was the Moreton Inn at Johnstown which was knocked down to Sir Archibald Salvidge for £5,275 in July 1914.

In April 1929, in a full meeting of the Board of Directors of Bent's Brewery Company Limited, Sir Thomas White, the managing director, was unanimously elected chairman of the board, in succession to Mr. G. R. Clarkson. At the same meeting Hugh Gordon Griffiths, of Messrs. Hodgson, Morris and Co., chartered accountants, was unaminously elected a director of the company.²⁹

Thomas White was another important figure in the history of Liverpool. He was a self-made man who rose from humble origins. His self-dependence was first displayed when, in 1887, as a ten year-old boy, he ran away to sea to be a cabin boy in a sailing vessel. Some adventurous years later be transferred to steam, and served in the catering department of Atlantic liners. On leaving the sea he settled ashore as a licensed victualler and paper merchant. He first made his mark in public life when he was elected to the Select Vestry as a Conservative representative of the Exchange Poor Law Ward. He went on to become a prominent member in civic life. In succession to Archibald Salvidge, he was for nine years leader of the City Council. He is credited with bringing Lancelot Keay from Birmingham as housing director, and the subsequent creation of the housing estates, including Norris Green.³⁰ He was an unusual brewery chairman as he was a total abstainer and non-smoker. When he died in 1938 he was buried at sea off Llandudno.³¹

Under the leadership of Sir Thomas White, Bent's Brewery Company Limited improved their houses, rebuilding some, and constructing large hostelries in developing areas, particularly in the growing suburbs. In May 1939, when succeeded by Hugh Gordon Griffiths, the company made an offer to acquire the issued capital of Gartside's [Brookside Brewery] Limited of Ashton-under-Lyne, for cash or by exchange of shares. This would being 180 tied-houses under their umbrella.

A chartered accountant by profession, Hugh Gordon Griffiths was managing director and chairman until his retirement in May 1956. He died in hospital during the following month.³²

In the takeover madness of the 1960s there was quite a tussle to take control of Bent's Brewery Company Limited. Watney Mann bid £17m for the company in the spring of 1967. However, this was topped by Bass, Mitchell's & Butler's who tabled a bid of £18.4m on May 22nd, 1967.³³ Inevitably, the brewery operations would eventually be wound up.

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References
1. "Newcastle-under-Lyme : Economic History And Social Life," in "A History Of The County of Stafford: Volume 8, ed. J. G. Jenkins [London, 1963], British History Online <https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol8/pp44-54" Accessed September 23rd, 2024.
2. "Newcastle Brewery To Be Sold By Auction" : Staffordshire Advertiser; January 17th, 1824, Page 4.
3. "Valuable Brewery at Newcastle-under-Lyme To Be Sold Or Let" : Staffordshire Advertiser; August 30th, 1828, Page 4.
4. "Death Of Sir John Bent" : Liverpool Mercury; August 14th, 1857, Page 12.
5. Historic England, "Sir John Bent MP Memorial at Toxteth Park Cemetery [1078258]," National Heritage List For England, Accessed September 23rd, 2024.
6. 1871 England Census RG 10/2692 : Herefordshire > Tupsley > District 7, Page 10.
7. 1881 Wales Census RG 11/5235 : Monmouthshire > Abergavenny > District 10, Page 2.
8. "Bent's Brewery Company Ltd." : Liverpool Mercury; July 18th, 1889, Page 3.
9. "Bent's Brewery Company Ltd." : Liverpool Journal Of Commerce; March 20th, 1890, Page 5.
10. "A Troublesome Publican" : Liverpool Weekly Courier; July 7th, 1877, Page 3.
11. Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935 : Lancashire > Southport > St. Paul, 1878 Page 197.
12. 1881 England Census RG 11/3611 : Lancashire > Liverpool > Dale Street > District 16, Page 6.
13. "A Liverpool Brewer's Death" : Suffolk and Essex Free Press; June 21st, 1911, Page 6.
14. "What Does "Stone Ale" Mean" : Staffordshire Chronicle; November 17th, 1888, Page 6.
15. "The Stone Ale Case : Joule's Brewery Wins On Appeal" : Staffordshire Chronicle; February 23rd, 1889, Page 5.
16. "Bent's Brewery Company" : Liverpool Evening Express; February 15th, 1906, Page 5.
17. "Bent's Brewery Company Ltd." : Liverpool Journal Of Commerce; February 11th, 1901, Page 6.
18. "Important Brewery Purchase" : Liverpool Evening Express; December 31st, 1901, Page 3.
19. "Bent's Brewery" : Liverpool Journal Of Commerce; February 13th, 1902, Page 3.
20. "Will Of The Late Mr. James Seddon, Of Liverpool" : Liverpool Evening Express; January 9th, 1903, Page 3.
21. "New Issue : Bent's Brewery Company Limited" : Liverpool Journal Of Commerce; January 18th, 1904, Page 3.
22. "Nisi Prius Court Yesterday : Bent's Brewery Company Sued" : Liverpool Daily Post; February 22nd, 1907, Page 5.
23. "Will Of Mr. Walter Glynn" : Liverpool Evening Express; June 15th, 1905, Page 3.
24. "New Director Of Bent's Brewery Company" : Liverpool Daily Post; October 26th, 1905, Page 9.
25. "Knighthood For Mr. J. S. Harmood-Banner" : Widnes Examiner; July 12th, 1913, Page 7.
26. "Bent's Brewery Company" : Liverpool Evening Express; February 15th, 1906, Page 5.
27. "Sir Archibald Salvidge" : St. Helens Newspaper & Advertiser; June 9th, 1916, Page 3.
28. "A Man Who Rule A City - And More" : Weekly Dispatch; March 18th, 1934, Page 11.
29. "Bent's Brewery Company : Sir Thomas White Elected Chairman" : Liverpool Daily Post; April 24th, 1929, Page 5.
30. "Passing Of Sir Thomas White" : Liverpool Daily Post; January 25th, 1938, Page 4.
31. "Isle Of Man Boat To Carry Sir Thomas White" : Liverpool Echo; January 26th, 1938, Page 7.
32. "Ex-Director Dies" : Liverpool Echo; June 21st, 1956, Page 5.
33. "The Pint At Issue" : Liverpool Echo; May 23rd, 1867, Page 1.

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"The remains of the late Mr. Lawrence Fauldrew Davis, of the Queen's Hotel, a highly-respected inhabitant of Old Swan, and a prominent member of the Edge Lane Bowling Club and the Loyal Lord Stanley Lodge of Oddfellows, and who was for many years a much valued servant of Bent's Brewery Company, were interred at West Derby Cemetery yesterday."
"The Late Mr. L. F. Davis"
Liverpool Evening Express : May 4th 1903 Page 3

"Yesterday, at the offices of Messrs. Bent's Brewery Company, Limited, an interesting presentation was made to Thomas Grant, who is relinquishing the post of an outdoor manager of the company to take up farming in Ireland. Mr. J. Winn presided over a large attendance of managers and manageresses, and the presentation was made by Alderman A. T. Salvidge, J.P., who asked Mr. Grant's acceptance of a handsome rose bowl as an evidence of the goodwill and esteem in which he was held by the managers connected with Bent's Brewery Company. Most of them from time-to-time had been under Mr. Grant's supervision, and he thought they would all agree that whilst Mr. Grant had devoted his best attention to the interests of the company he had endeared himself to them all, not only as an overlooker, but as a kind friend who had combined duty with sympathy and interest. [Hear, hear.] In his difficult task Mr. Grant had gained their goodwill and esteem, and he had their sincerest wishes for his prosperity in his new sphere of life. [Applause.] Mr. Grant, in acknowledging the gift, said he had tried not only to do his best for the company but to act fairly and squarely by the managers. It has been his duty at times to make reports to Alderman Salvidge as to the conduct of the houses and of the managers, and he could say that no fairer master could be desired, for he always insisted on hearing both sides and meting out absolutely fair play. In conclusion he said he should always regard the presentation as the materialisation of good wishes. [Applause.] The present consisted of a handsome solid silver, double-handled, rose bowl of chase design, manufactured by Messrs. Campbell and Lumby, jewellers, Old Post-Office Place, Liverpool."
"Presentation To A Brewers' Manager"
Liverpool Evening Express : February 28th 1905 Page 3

"Private Thomas Halton was, today, the recipient of a gold watch and chain from the directors Bent's Brewery Company Limited, of which he is an employee, in recognition of his winning the Military Medal. The presentation was made Sir Archibald Salvidge."
"Presentation To M. M."
Liverpool Echo : February 20th 1918 Page 4