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It was
known as the ‘Star’ brewery because of the red illuminated
star on top of the brewery tower. This became a landmark on
the Nottingham skyscape – it could be seen from miles away
by any traveller either visiting or passing by the city via
northern routes.
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| Shipstones
Brewery |
The brewery
remained independent until Greenalls of Warrington purchased
it in 1978. Initially the Greenalls group made changes in the
production of the bitter to apparently ‘make it a more
acceptable drink for the mass market’, but still concentrated
on advertising Shipstones as local bitter. They sponsored Nottingham
Forest FC and promoted Shippo’s, as the locals knew it,
but this was eventually replaced by Labatts Lager (Greenalls
Canadian Lager).
Greenalls
now had breweries at Nottingham, Warrington, Wem and Birmingham
before their brewery closure programme began – the first
loss being Wem (beer production transferred to Birmingham).
Davenports in Birmingham was next to close (production moved
to Nottingham).
During 1989/91
concerns were expressed over the quality of Shippo’s and
a lack of marketing motivation behind the local product and
a new cask beer was brought into the area - Thomas Greenalls
Original Bitter, from the Warrington brewery.
On 15 May
1990 the managing director of Greenalls Midlands wrote to confirm
that it was their intention to continue to promote both Davenports
and Shipstones, but as history states, no assurances were actually
given to the survival of the brewery!
It was noted
that later that year the letterhead for Shipstones had been
replaced with the name ‘Greenalls Midlands Ltd’ and
pubs were being re-signed bearing the Greenalls name, although
these were largely away from Nottingham.
Finally
on 31 August 1990 Greenalls announced cessation of all brewing
– to become retailers only and the Basford brewery was
shut in early 1991. Beer production contracted to Allied Lyons
– initially being brewed from Burton-upon-Trent then transferred
to the Allied Brewery in Warrington, and the rest as they say,
is history.
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