Monument record 1160/74 - Phipps' Northampton Brewery (formerly Pheonix Brewery/Bridge Street Brewery)

The brewery was founded by Pickering Phipps (1772-1830) in Towcester, Northamptonshire in 1801. In 1817 he leased a brewhouse on Bridge Street, Northampton and the brewery became successful. He died in 1830 and his two of his sons, Richard and Thomas inherited the business and were later joined by his grandson Pickering Phipps II (1827-1890). From 1880 the business operated as P.Phipps and Company and managed by Pickering Phipps III (1861-1937) from 1886. New offices were built at 8 Gold Street in 1888. By the end of the 19th century the company had become the largest brewer in the Midlands and the ninth largest in Britain. Production from the Towcester brewery was moved to Northampton in 1900 following a fire which destroyed the brewery. A number of regional breweries were acquired by the company during the early 20th century. In 1957 it merged with neighbours, Northampton Brewery Company Limited, of the Phoenix Brewery in Bridge Street. The new company was known as Phipps Northampton Brewery Company Limited. However, in 1960 the company was acquired by Watney Mann Limited, and at the beginning of the 1970s, a partnership was formed between Watney Mann and Carlsberg Group to rebuild the brewery as a lager plant (Monument HOB UID 1568693). The brewery finally closed on the 26th May 1974, and most of the original brewery was demolished

{1} Carlsberg Wharf; modern industrial brewing complex which represents the latest form of brewing (an industry which is associated historically with the area with several different breweries operating on the site over a period of time).

{3,4} The brewery was founded by Pickering Phipps (1772-1830) in Towcester, Northamptonshire in 1801. In 1817 he leased a brewhouse on Bridge Street, Northampton and the brewery became successful. He died in 1830 and his two of his sons, Richard and Thomas inherited the business and were later joined by his grandson Pickering Phipps II (1827-1890).

From 1880 the business operated as P.Phipps and Company and managed by Pickering Phipps III (1861-1937) from 1886. New offices were built at 8 Gold Street in 1888. By the end of the 19th century the company had become the largest brewer in the Midlands and the ninth largest in Britain. Production from the Towchester brewery was moved to Northampton in 1900 following a fire which destroyed the brewery. A number of regional breweries were acquired by the company during the early 20th century. In 1957 it merged with neighbours, Northampton Brewery Company Limited, of the Phoenix Brewery in Bridge Street. The new company was known as Phipps Northampton Brewery Company Limited. However, in 1960 the company was acquired by Watney Mann Limited, and at the beginning of the 1970s, a partnership was formed between Watney Mann and Carlsberg Group to rebuild the brewery as a lager plant. The brewery finally closed on the 26th May 1974, and most of the original brewery was demolished.

{5} Site of Phipps brewery, which has been entirely replaced by an updated brewery complex. Recorded by NRIM, photographed.
Phipps' Northampton Brewery Company formed from amalgamation of separate breweries of Phipps' & Northampton Brewery Companies; 19th/20th century buildings; many alterations but old parts existed including refrigeration unit which housed compressors; is today site of Carlsberg Brewery.

{7} Phipps' Brewery with extensive premises until redeveloped in 1971 for Carlsberg Brewery; oldest building of Phipp's was 1866-7; built by Davidson & Scamell of London; another added facing canal and dated 1877; tall and symmetrical brick front with thin central turret covered by concave-sided pyramid roof; north end of Bridge Street frontage of building with inset of curtain walling built 1956-7 by F.C.J.Smith.

{8} There have been many alterations in recent years but the following old parts exist [in 1961]:
The refrigeration department housing original compressors but has had a succession of prime movers- steam, gas, oil and now electric motors.
The Maintenance workshop has some of the original overhead line shafting still in position and an excellent example of a wooden shop superintendents office on raised plinth and with high-topped desk.

<1> ELLISON M., 1997, Proposed Conservation Area, Cotton End, Northampton: An Assessment by Northamptonshire Heritage, (unchecked) (Report). SNN42086.

<2> Pearson, L. & Anderson, R., 2010, Gazetteer of Operating Pre-1940 Breweries in England, p.28 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN108378.

<3> 2009, A History: P. Phipps, Northampton Brewery Company, Phipps NBC and Beyond (Website). SNN107110.

<4> Richmond, L, and Turton, A, (eds), 1990, The brewing industry : a guide to historical records, p. 265-266 (Book). SNN112897.

<5> Historic England, Undated, National Record of Industrial Monuments (NRIM): Index Cards, NRI01; Recorded by GH Starmer, 21-Jul-1961, Record No.NN30 (Archive). SNN113469.

<6> Bontoft, W., 2012, Remains of Old Phipps Brewery are Revealed, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN108624.

<7> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.351+footnote; checked; (Series). SNN1320.

<8> Starmer G.H., 1973, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN571.

<9> Starmer G.H., 1982, National Register of Industrial Monuments, (checked) (Catalogue). SNN563.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:29PM