Adcock, Pacey & Co - A History

Adcock, Pacey & Co, Egerton Brewery, Bentley Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

In September 1808, there was an advertisement in the Leicester Journal for the Prior’s Close Wharf with warehouse. This stated that the premises were suitable for a common brewer “much wanted in that part of the country”. Hence, one can assume that the majority of pubs were brewing for themselves, rather than buying from a common brewer.

In 1812, the Three Horse Shoes in Burton End was for sale as a result of the death of George Adcock. The sale included the brewing utensils. It later became a private house. In 1830, William Adcock was described as an innkeeper and in 1835 was listed as a maltster at Little London, whilst Thomas Pickering Adcock ran a wine and spirit business in Sherrard Street. In 1846, George Adcock was a spirit merchant in Burton End; however, in 1848, they seem to have combined the businesses, since they were shown as Thomas Pickard Adcock and George Adcock, wine and spirit and ale and porter merchants in Sherrard Street. Around this time, a John Adcock was running the Blue Cow at nearby Buckminster; although in 1846 he had sold some of the brewing equipment, including a 12 strike brewing copper.

Then in 1855, Adcock W&G were shown as running the Egerton Brewery and as maltsters. This further linking of the family businesses would seem to be supported by an indenture of 1860 on the Noel Arms. The indenture mentions George Adcock the elder, Thomas Pickard Adcock and William Adcock.

Three years later, the business was more clearly identified as Adcock, William & George, Egerton Brewery and Sherrard Street on Tuesdays. Thomas Rowland was the agent at Nottingham Street, this was later shown as offices at No 7. However, there seems to have been a family dispute around this time, since whilst the Egerton Brewery remained in the hands of William, George Adcock appears to have set up in business on his own (see entry). Meanwhile, Thomas Pickard Adcock was brewing at Whissendine around this time with a Mr Fast (see entry) and with separate stores in Melton.

Hence the Egerton Brewery was shown as William Adcock in 1867 and in 1870 William Adcock was advertising himself as:- mild, strong and East India pale ale and porter brewer and maltster wine and spirits, Egerton Brewery and stores in Market Place.

In 1871, the business was trading as W Adcock Egerton Brewery (F3359). In 1874 some of the property was mortgaged, probably to raise cash for the purchase of additional pubs. In 1876, the mortgage was added to, with the business operating as W Adcock, Market Place. In 1877 they were also shown as maltsters.

However, in 1877 it was trading as Adcock, Pacey & Company Egerton Brewery Nottingham Street, with William Adcock living at North Lodge in Bentley Street. In 1880, William Adcock and James Pacey were in partnership running the brewery.

In 1884 Adcock, Pacey & Company were maltsters and brewers at the Egerton Brewery, which was shown as being in Bentley Street. William Adcock was living at North Lodge, whilst William Darman, a jobbing brewer was at No 11. James Pacey, brewer, was living at Morecambe Villa, 8 Asfordy Road. The brewery offices were still at 7 Nottingham Street and the business operated as wine and spirit merchants at 19 Market Place.

On 24th July 1885, a J Pacey of Leicestershire took out a patent for “Improvements in finings making machines”. In 1890, William Adcock and William Pacey were the partners and it is not clear whether at this point James was simply employed by the business or was included in the ownership. The Adcock, Pacey & Company partnership was dissolved and this may have been the end of James’ involvement.

The following year the business was still trading as Adcock, Pacey & Coat at 7 Nottingham Street. They continued to be shown in 1894 and 1900 as wine & spirit merchants at 19 Market Place. The Adcock involvement also seems to have ended around this time.

After James Pacey retired the business passed to his brother, but was being run by John and Walker Pacey, presumably his nephews, who were living at Morecambe Villa. Nevertheless, the following year there was still a directory entry for Adcock, Pacey at Bentley Street.

In 1903, William Walker Pacey, originally from the nearby village of Saxby, died on 13th August. His sons, Walker and John, were his executors and trustees and they carried on the brewery, although John seems to have sold his share in 1914 for £24,500. James Pacey JP, born 1846 at Garthrope and presumably the uncle, was still involved with owning the business.

In 1915, the business was still trading at 7 Nottingham Street as Adcock, Pacey & Company. However, on 22nd December 1919, Bindley & Co. Ltd bought it for £63,000. The estate included 32 pubs, one of which was de-licensed, and an off-licence, although there was no mention of the brewery in the conveyance document. Bindley & Co. Ltd had themselves been taken over by Ind Coope Ltd in 1914, but were still operating independently.

The brewery (SK754195) was demolished in the early 1990s.