Robert More & Co
Robert More & Co, Scottish Ale Brewery, 88 Old Street, St Luke, London EC1
In 1746 shown as the Goat Brewhouse. In 1833 Robert More & Co Scottish Ale Brewery. In 1863 More & Porter were at No 88 to 20th July 1871, when the partnership was dissolved: John Mcleod More and George Charles Porter. From 1873 trading as John More & Co, being Robert's son John Mcleod More. On 8th June 1875 William Gower Brakspear died, brother of Archibald at Henley, and employed here, though it seems also a partner:
1. Executors and trustees of will of WG Brakspear. 2. ‘McHead’ More of Scottish Brewery Co, St Lukes, Deed of mutual releases in respect of late partnership of More and Co, brewery business and co-partnership, under the name of the Scottish Brewery; release of all messuages, lands, mortgages, stock and plant etc. belonging to said partnership.
In 1885 Mr Horlsey was the brewer. In June 1888 More & Co Ltd: £70,000 in £100 shares from John Mcleod More. The first subscribers were: V J Watney of the Stag Brewery; H C O Bonner; R H Combe, Castle Street; C Combe and R Combe; S Whitbread and R Lubbock, Chiswell Street. TM: Saracen’s Head.
Though much of the timing of the changes around this time is subject to debate, the Story of Watney states that they had been bought by Watneys. In 1889 absorbed into Phillips, More & Co. Ltd and to retain the old name, but brewing transferred to Mortlake. Certainly by 1890 it had been bought by Watneys, where John Mcleod More became a director, though the merger doesn’t seem to have been fully completed until 1898.
The site at Old Street became a Salvation Army hostel, sometime around 1891. This use continues under the Shelter name.