HF40/1/3/37

Original Bundle of correspondence regarding sale of Biggleswade Brewery

16 Apr 1898 - 24 Oct 1898

From: 1898 To: 1898

includes W W Hay to Hooper and Company Can’t understand misunderstanding Clients very satisfactory interview with Hooper and Company 16 Apr 1898 Letter, Frederick Archdale to T J Hooper Orde not likely to sell brewery – not sure if there are any enquiries still – great mistake not to let it go at the auction 19 Apr 1898 Letter, Thomas etc. to Hooper and Company “inundated with a constantly increasing stream of enquiries as to the Biggleswade Brewery by touts, company promoters and the like”. Various statements that commission notes are in existence – Pridham seen one in possession of a Mr Hay, which promised 4% if sold for £150,000, 3% £145,000 and 1% for £140,000. renews suggestion Thomas etc. should approach Fordham again for £130,000. Mr Blandford would take guarantee profits 8000 +. 3 May 1898 Letter from A C Pridham 48 Gunton Road, Upper Clapton, London to Hooper been given particulars by Hay, introduced it to J T Power of 54 Green Street, Hyde Park. J T Power called brewery – great difficulties in purchasing on particulars given. Hay also given name of G Davis, solicitor, both “firm” buyers if can get short particulars they require. A C Pridham cousin to W W Marks, solicitor of Bedford 4 May 1898 On letter of 5 May 1898 pencil notes regarding letter from C S Lindsell if Fordhams still want the brewery, offer must come from them – take brewery off market as no genuine offers Letter, Edgar Morris, 84 Park Street, Grosvenor Square, London W. to Hooper and Company offers £125,000 refused 7 May 1898 Letter, Johnson and Dowdney 30 Moorgate Street, London EC gather net profit is only £6,660 viz. beer sales 8600 barrels at 12s, profit £5160 spirits 5000 gallons at 4, profit £500 yearly rent roll of £2641..4s i.e. total income c. £9301 unreasonable price because would show just under 7% profit 8 Jun 1898 About this time R Edwards of 72 Mark Lane, London interested (O J T Gibson introducing him) Thomas etc. to Hooper and Company Huggins, large London Brewery had been interested 16 Jun 1898 Letter, A Thomas etc. to Hooper and Company “Mr George Winch, a solicitor, Chatham, who is well known to us as a very substantial man is desirous of purchasing a brewery for a son”. George Winch staying at North Bank, Sea View, Isle of Wight will inspect the brewery 20 Aug 1898 George Winch, Chatham wants to make an offer – would like 10 day delay in sale elsewhere to enable him to meet Peyer 8 Sep 1898 Copy of letter from George Winch to A Thomas cannot give £135,000 with report £7500-£7600 profits per annum amalgamation scheme of our concern hangs fire – would have meant no need to borrow. great reluctance in declining purchase 13 Oct 1898 Letter, Frederick Archdale to T J Hooper not like to take less for the brewery than offer made at the auction £132,000 as it was near the reserve price unless get very good price could not afford to sell “as it is difficult to get a decent rate of interest for money now” suppose Thomas and Company would want heavy commission, sorry Morgan cannot pay wonder how far Winch was prepared to go beyond £125,000 19 Oct 1898 Letter, A Thomas, T J Hooper George Winch called practically arranged to amalgamate his family brewery at Chatham, Kent with another concern and issued in company form Winch offer of £125,000 subject to valuation of stock book debts etc. and provided vendors leave £80,000 on deposit for up to 12 months 24 Oct 1898

1 bundle

item

Hooper & Fletcher,
Wells & Co,
Hay, W W,
Hooper & Company,
Archdale, Frederick,
Hooper, T J,
Orde,
Alfred Thomas, Peyer & Miles,
E.K.& H.Fordham Limited,
Blandford,
Pridham, A C,
Power, J T,
Davis, G,
Marks, W W,
Lindsell, Charles Samuel,
Morris, Edgar,
Johnson & Dowdney,
Edwards, R,
Gibson, O J T,
Winch, George,
Peyer, Robert,
Morgan

Hooper & Fletcher, breweries, BIGGLESWADE, Wells & Company, Biggleswade Brewery, business correspondence, business, private buildings & land, AUCTION SALES, Hooper & Company, Peyer & Miles Alfred Thomas, fees/charges, commission agent, E.K.& H.Fordham Limited, Ashwell Brewery, Clapton, London Green Street, London Hyde Park, solicitor, London Park Street, Mayfair Grosvenor Square, London Moorgate Street, sales figures, business accounts, City of London Mark Lane, London Huggins Brewery, Chatham, Isle of Wight