1. : Origins
The Centre of E. Anglian Studies book states that
Richard Bullard was originally a publican-brewer.
The pub is question may well have been the Rose in
Gregory Street (Lower Goat Lane?),
as listed in the 1836 Directory.
Bullard & Watts founded the Anchor brewery in 1837,
hard by St. Miles' Bridge.
As a late starter, its number of tied-houses recorded
in the 1845 Official List was only 33, i.e.
8.1% of all
the major** brewery ties in the City itself.
However, by 1861, the number had risen to 80.
The partnership with James Watts having dissolved in
June 1847, Richard Bullard presided until his death in
1864 at the age of 56.
His son Harry (along with brothers Charley and Fred)
then took over.
A new brewery building was erected in 1867/8,
and remains (as a shell) today.
By 1867 trading was as Bullard & Sons.
Arguably, Bullard's were following in the
footsteps of Sir Peter Seaman.
2. : Sir Harry Bullard
Harry's career soon went well beyond
the brewing business.
In 1877 he was made Sheriff, quickly followed -
in 1878/79 and 1886 - as Mayor.
He was knighted by the Queen in the latter year.
Subsequently he went 'national', as M.P. for Norwich
in 1890 and 1895.
Also in March 1895 he oversaw incorporation as a
Limited Company with two fellow directors
(John Boyce and George Collier).
The company then owned 280 pubs and 161 were
leased; had 7 malt-houses, and the brewery covered
two acres.
In 1890 Sir Harry, J. P., D. L. was living
at Hellesdon House.
Also in 1890 the firm was very briefly described as
brewers and wine and spirits merchants. No reference
was made to branches or depots elsewhere in the
County/Country.
But Sir Harry had been quick off the mark in 1888,
when the telephone exchange opened, obtaining the
very low number 5.
Other long-serving directors included Ernest Bullard,
appointed in 1918, who died in 1946, aged 77;
and Edward Bullard - director since 1904,
and Chairman from 1928, who died in 1950.
3. : Expansion Plans
Although taking over the Rock Brewery in Eye,
Suffolk in 1897, Bullards apparently concentrated on
getting a firm grip of their local market.
By 1914, in Norwich alone, Bullard's had overtaken
S. & P. by 133 to 126 tied-houses
(= 29.6% of the ties of **major brewers)
However, they looked elsewhere by 1924,
absorbing the Thetford firm of Bidwell & Co.
Shortly after, in 1928, they captured Hogge & Seppings
brewery of Setch Bridge - just South of King's Lynn.
Continued . . .
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3. (contd.)
Norwich breweries taken over by Bullards were :-
In the first case there had been, since October 1941,
a collaborative agreement; whereby the firms
exchanged shares and board directors. When the
collaboration turned into a takeover, brewing in
King Street ceased at once.
In the latter case, the brewery itself[1] passed to
Watney Mann of London; as Bullard's (like their
partners in the joint venture -
S. & P. Brewery) were
only interested in acquiring the pubs, which totalled
between 400 and 450.
The share of the spoils with S. & P. was described by
chairman Gerald Bullard : These were shared out
one morning between us, after John Morse and I
had cut cards to see who should have the first pick.
Bullard's concentrated (at last) on the county areas
(see para 5. below).
[1] Contrary to the assurances given
at the time of the offer.
4. : The Downfall
See details of the short-lived 1961 Trading Agreement
with Watney Mann.
Watney's took over Bullards in November 1963,
along with 530 (over 800?) tied pubs, they having
secured over 15% of the Company's shares by that time.
Brewing at St. Miles ceased in 1968 - as forecast
in the Eastern Evening News on 18th October 1966.
Production transferred to the King Street brewery.
The bottling plant closed in 1969.
The "Brewery Tap" was, fortunately, part of the
complex which survived large-scale demolition
and redevelopment.
It eventually re-opened as the
Anchor Quay Wine Bar;
although it has been closed since October 2001.
The remaining smaller buildings were
converted into excellent residences.
The famous chimney was demolished in July 1982.
Sir Alfred Munnings' original artwork of 1909, for the
famous Bullard's posters and wall-plaques, was soon
re-styled (in cartoon form) by Watney's.
5. : Addendum : The 1961 Strategy
Julian Crawshay, a Bullard's director, reported -
. . . the barrellage has come out about 1000 barrels
in S. & P.'s favour, but mostly at long range.
We have established ourselves very strongly in
Peterborough, King's Lynn, Sheringham, Cromer,
Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
S. & P. went for Norwich, which we did not mind,
as we are already dominant.
This last statement is manifestly true, given the
situation - way back in 1914 - already mentioned
in paragraph 3 above.
Crawshay went on to say that Bullard's aims and tactics
had been successful, but that S. & P. were also satisfied
with the outcome.
Acknowledgement
Much of the material in this summary is taken from
a publication of the Centre of East Anglian Studies. |