Thomas Harris (Surrey)
Thomas Fladgate Harris, Knowle Green Brewery, Kingston Road, Staines, Surrey.
Founded by 1871.
Acquired by Ashby's Staines Brewery Ltd. July 1903 with 94 tied houses, half of which were sold to Watney, Combe, Reid & Co. Ltd. 1903/04.
Brewing ceased on acquisition.
From Notes on a Staines Walk by Tony Fox-Griffiths:-
Most reports state that brewing began when Thomas Poulter Harris set up the brewery in 1871 and ran it until it was taken over by his son Thomas Fladgate Harris six years later.
However, other sources state that the brewery was apparently originally located close to Thames Street and only moved to Knowle Green around 1827, some fifty years earlier.
Brewing continued until 1903 when Thomas Fladgate Harris died. At that point the brewery and its 94 licensed houses were bought by Ashby's Staines Brewery Ltd for what was then a bargain price of £200,000. Along with the brewery and the pubs, they acquired 23 freehold cottages as well.
Ashby’s Brewery paid for their expansion by selling half of the tied houses to Watney, Combe, Reid & Co. Ltd and much of the brewery equipment by auction.
A local history group said that brewing here continued for a further ten years, ceasing by 1913.
An assortment of views of the brewery.
Note: Historically part of Middlesex, the town was transferred to Surrey in 1965.