Sharpe's Sileby Brewery - A History
Sharpe's Sileby Brewery Ltd, Steam Brewery, High Street, Sileby, Leicestershire.
In 1808 a Mr Knight was at the Duke of York, followed in 1848, by Henry Smith a butcher. There was no mention of brewing at this time, but in 1812 a Mr Sharpe operated a malt office near to the North Gates, High Cross Street in Leicester and a Richard Sharpe junior was a maltster at Scalford in 1846.
In 1860 William Sharpe founded a brewery behind the pub. This was described as a four storey tower brewery with attic. In 1870, the business was trading as Sharpe & Sons, whilst William Sharpe was also shown as a brewer at the Duke of York. The business was run by his two sons William & Frederick, but their partnership seems to have been dissolved in 1876, although it was still listed as William Sharpe & Sons. William Sharpe senior died on 9th September 1877; however, that year the business was still listed as William Sharpe & Sons at the Steam Brewery.
In 1881, Frederick Sharpe of the Sileby brewery was living at Syston, where John Sharpe was an ale merchant in the High Street. However, in 1884, Frederick was shown as living at Sileby House, Cossington Lane. William Henry Sharpe was shown as living at Hunting Box, Cossington End. Their stout was obviously popular in the area, since in 1883 they were supplying it to the All Saints Brewery in Leicester.
They were trading as W Sharpe and Sons around 1884-5 and in 1891 the business was trading as William Sharpe & Sons (F4630). Sharpe’s stout was available at Thomas Fox’s ale stores at Church Gate in Leicester. In 1893, they were involved with a court case concerning the responsibility for the payment of carriage on malt which was subsequently found to be of poor quality. The malt had been purchased at Leicester market and had become mixed with some of poor quality before being delivered to Sharpes (Brewers’ Journal 1893 p107 Perkins vs Bell).
In 1895, they were shown as brewers, maltsters and coal merchants. The estate rationalisation at LB&M saw the White Lion at Sileby transferred to Sharpes in exchange for them giving up the Earl Grey at Leicester, together with 2 cottages and the payment of some £500. However, the Cape of Good Hope seems to have gone from Sharpes to Strettons around 1902.
In 1905 the Head Brewer was Elijah Betts. He replaced a Mr Goss, who having fallen down the stairs and broken his leg, had died of pneumonia. In 1912, William Sharpe & Sons, Steam Brewery, was registered as a Limited Company, but the following year was trading as Sharpes (late W Sharpe & Sons) Sileby Brewery Ltd. Their slogan was “One trial will suffice”.
In September 1920, Sharpe’s Sileby Brewery Ltd was bought by Stretton's Derby Brewery Ltd, with whom they already had strong trading links. As well as the brewery, and a malting in King Street, the sale included 15 licensed houses and 20 off-licensed. Oddly, the Duke of York was not included in the list of properties transferred, although it was one of their houses. The business was wound up in October 1921.
The brewery was thought to have closed in 1922, although it seems to be still listed in 1925. Stretton's Derby Brewery Ltd themselves were taken over by Allsopp & Sons Ltd who continued to use the maltings (SK602151) until the 1930s. After their sale by Allsopp & Sons Ltd, the maltings were operated by Plunketts until 1972.
The buildings are almost completely intact at the rear of the (former) Duke of York.