IMPERIAL BREWERY
Bannister Street Bedford Place, and High Street
They acquired Hunt & Co 1863, and continued brewing
Acquired by Vincent & Elliott 1868
This business was short lived. A company called the Southampton Imperial Hotel (Limited) was formed to take over the Hunt & Co brewery at High Street (see the Hunt & Co page). George Hunt was a founding Director of the new Company, and it seems that he continued as a brewer with them. The company went in to liquidation in 1868.
The Southern Evening Echo of November 2005 gives (what to me) is a confusing report; “The Cooper family were brewers in Southampton as far back as 1843, operating from small premises at East Street and Hanover Buildings. In 1867 the local archives mention the Imperial Brewery of Gray, Webster and Cain. This was taken over by Coopers in the early 1890s.” I cannot find any reference to Gray Webster & Cain in newspapers or directories, nor to the Imperial Brewery using this name, so any evidence to support, or dismiss this statement would be welcome.
The Hampshire Independent of 11th April 1863 contains details of the Prospectus for the Southampton Imperial Hotel (Limited). This company was Incorporated under the Joint Stock Companies Act 1862, with capital of £100,000 divided in to 10,000 shares of £10 each. Among the Directors were Frederick Perkins, Mayor of Southampton, and Deputy Chairman, (and brewer) and George Hunt, Chairman of the Hampshire Banking Co. The Company was formed to provide Southampton, (which was the largest Steam Packet and passenger port in the Kingdom), with a large first class hotel. The location was to be between the Royal Pier and the docks and almost next to the London and SW Railway station. “Provisional arrangements have been made for the purchase at valuation of an old established brewery with a lucrative trade and numerous houses attached to it which will ensure an immediate dividend to shareholders”. (£100,000 would equate to just over £11 Million today according to the online Bank of England Inflation Calculator, so a very large enterprise was planned).
In 1862, George Hunt entered into an agreement with Mr. George Laishley to rent land from the London and South Western Railway Company as part of their railway extension plans. The lease would be for 39 years, at a rent of £120pa, and he covenanted to build a hotel at an annual rental of £200. He did this as a ‘Guarantor’ because the landlord did not agree to enter into a contract with the limited liability company. It was understood between him and the Board of Directors that he should not sustain any personal loss, and that all benefits and liabilities should be borne by the company. As we see later, this was a big mistake!
The Hotel was in the course of construction in September 1865 and George Hobbs was applying for a Licence. The west wing was said to be “in a forward state”, and the basement had been completed. Part would be fit for occupation on 10th October when the licence was to commence. The licence was granted.
As to the brewery, I believe this was kept separate from, but still owned by, the Hotel Company. Adverts refer to the Imperial Brewery Co High Street Brewery Southampton. There is reference to the Company having refitted the brewery in 1866, and much later, the opinion that had the brewery been left alone, it would have prospered.
The Hampshire Independent of 4th February 1865 carries an advertisement from the Directors of this Company for a manager, who thoroughly understood brewing in all its branches, on the most approved system, and also the management of a brewery, with a public house and family trade. References as to character and competency, and also security for the faithful performance of duties was required. Applications, stating salary, were to be made on or before the 7th day of February next. In December that same year they were advertising for a maltster.
By January 1867 they were advertising a vault to let in Bridge Street, rent £10 pa. apply to the Imperial Brewery High Street. They also advertised their superior pale tonic ales at 1s and 1s 2d per gallon, as well as first class ales and stout. “Samples to be seen at the Imperial Brewery”. In May they were trying to let the Clarendon, Bernard Street. They were also looking for an agent at Cowes, Ryde, Yarmouth, Ventnor and Newport for the sale of “Southampton Imperial Brewery Company’s unrivalled Pale Ale”. I have also seen frequent adverts for their pale ale at 1s and 1/2d per gallon, mild ales, single and double stout.
There were clearly serious financial issues in the Hotel Company, as just five years after the Company was formed, in March 1868, a Liquidator was appointed. In April 1868, the brewery, maltings, hotels pubs and dwellinghouses were all up for auction by order of the mortgagee. There was included about 24 hotels, pubs and beer houses and various shops and dwellinghouses in and around Southampton, all occupied by respectable tenants. The auctioneers were based on the Isle of Wight for some reason. That same month however they were advertising for a brewer’s assistant, who must ‘understand the driving of the steam engine’.
We see later that there were defaults on rent payments on the hotel site, as well as the mortgage arrears, and the Liquidator had also removed all items from the ‘new’ hotel in December 1868 in readiness for an auction sale. The lender had taken occupation and was forcing a sale of both hotel, and brewery. The brewery seems to have been sold first, perhaps because that had actual value?
The Hampshire Independent, and other newspapers on various dates in May 1868 carry extended auction details and mention 26 hotels, public houses, and beerhouses, several excellent business premises, private houses, building sites etc. The Imperial Brewery was said to extend from the High Street to York Buildings, and to be of a substantial character, having been rearranged and completely fitted with plant on the most approved principle, in 1866 by the Imperial Hotel Company Limited. There was a spacious malt house and numerous buildings attached, and it was in every way adapted for the requirements of an extensive business. Hotels, Public houses and beerhouses were listed; The Netley Abbey Hotel occupied by Mr. John Strongitharm, The Cliff Hotel, at Woolston Mr. Goldby King; The Bargate Hotel, in the High-street occupied by Mr. Harry Dyke; The Fountain Inn, in the High Street, also the Fountain Tap, adjoining, occupied by Mr. W. Maidment; The White Swan Inn, with ship building at Cross House, Mr. John Ransom; The Marsh Hotel, in Bridge Road, with valuable building land, occupied by W S Cooper; The Marsh Hotel Tap in Albert Road occupied by Mr. Cooper; The West Quay Tavern, Mr. W. J. Batchelor; The Clarence Hotel, in Bernard Street occupied by Mr. Christian Limning; The Vine Hotel, in High Street, occupied by Mr. W. H.Gregory, and the Vine Tap in Porter's Lane, Mrs E Howell; The Prince Coburg, in Porter's lane. Mr Randini; The White Swan at West End; The Railway Tavern, in Northam near Southampton, occupied by Christopher Childs; The Foresters Arms, at Freemantle; The Red Lion Bitterne; The Chamberlayne Arms Sholing; The Blacksmiths Arms, at Old Shirley; The Southampton Arms Millbank Street; The St. Leonard's Hotel, in Victoria Terrace Southampton; Spa Road Tavern Southampton; The Duke of Wellington Bugle Street; St Georges Hotel Bridge Street Southampton; The Spread Eagle Southampton; The Phoenix West Street Southampton, occupied by Mr. Dobbs; The Rose and Crown at French Street, occupied by Mr. Holmes. All details were available from Mr Cole who was manager of the Imperial Brewery.
On the 23rd May 1868 it was announced that there had been a sale of the brewery and its plant, 27 public and beerhouses and private properties. Most of the brewers of the town and tenants of the various houses affected were in attendance. It was also said that if the brewery and the properties attached to it had been left to themselves there could be no doubt that they would have formed a highly lucrative concern. Unfortunately, the mortgagee had instructed the sale. The aggregate rental of the premises was set at £1,760, but a surveyor appointed by the mortgagee estimated them to be worth £2,508 annually. In 1866, before the mortgage was taken, the Company paid £34,849.13s. In the same year additions were made costing £2,608, making a total of £37,458, and the Company alleged that they had spent £4,000 on the property since then.
The announcement goes on to say the price had to cover the amount of the mortgage, and extra to ensure sale at market value. Bidding started at £27,000, and increased to £28,200. There was then some question as to whether stock, beer wines etc. were included, but it was sold in one lot to Mr Deacon, Solicitor at £28,200, on behalf of Vincent & Elliott (see the Vincent & Elliott page).
As I said above, Mr. George Hunt had made personal guarantees concerning the hotel company lease. He was forced to make a claim as creditor since in 1867, the rent had not been paid, and the landlord obtained a judgment against Mr. Hunt, which he paid, with costs. In 1868, another judgment for rent was obtained against him, and in 1869, to prevent the costs of further claims, he voluntarily paid the rent due on the premises. In 1871 he paid further sums to surrender the lease. The Liquidator said the estate was insufficient to pay all the claims.
Vincent & Elliott was acquired by William Garton, and the brewery was closed and demolished to
allow the redevelopment of the Coopers Brewery site (see the Coopers brewery page).