Ashby’s Staines Brewery
Thomas Ashby officially founded the Ashby Family brewery in 1796. He started brewing beer in his own house and delivering casks to his customers using a wheelbarrow. With the successful business expanding, operations were moved to some family land and his sons Thomas and Charles joined the business, which then became known as Thomas Ashby and Sons.
In 1827 another of his sons, Frederick, joined the business. The three brothers helped their dad until later in 1841 when Thomas Ashby died leaving it to his three sons. Later his son Thomas retired from the brewery and the business was renamed Charles Ashby & Co. On October 1st 1886 the remaining two brothers, Charles and Frederick, and their children turned the business into a private limited company which later in 1899 became ‘Ashby’s Staines Brewery Limited.’
By 1900 the Ashby family owned more than 200 public houses within 30 miles of Staines and the business was doing very well. By 1913 all remaining members of the Ashby family had left the business and it went in voluntary liquidation in 1936. There are a few remaining marks, such as bricks and plaques which are still dotted around Egham that hint to the long history of the Ashby family brewery.
Pubs which are still here today were also historically served by the Ashby family brewery, such as The Barley Mow, and the White Lion. Additionally, Barclays banks has an Ashby’s family stone panel which is not connected to the brewery but was owned by the same family, if you are ever near the bank you can see the Panel which reads ‘ASHBY & CO ESTABLISHED 1796 THE OLD BANK REBUILT 1896.’