In 1855 there were 83 maltsters and 20 brewers in Leicestershire.
In 1881 there were 60 maltsters and 40 brewers.
In 1932 there were 3 maltsters and 11 brewers.
We now have no maltsters at all and a few breweries.
Possibly one reason for this decline is the close proximity of Burton on Trent.
Major breweries have disappeared during town centre rebuilding in Oakham and Leicester and the remains
of the industry include some converted maltings, such as Ketton and Market Harborough and one intact
maltings and tower brewery in Sileby. English Heritage describes it as a “nationally-rare surviving exampleâ€
of a floor maltings and brewery complex.
The grade II listed maltings was built in the 1880's by William Sharpe, who had established a small brewery
behind the Duke of York public house in the 1870’s.
The brewery closed in the 1920s, but the floor maltings
remained in use by Plunkett Brothers of Ireland until 1972.
Over the following twenty years the building was divided up and used, among other things, as a sheet-metal
workers, an auto-finishers, a drapers warehouse and a knitwear manufacturer.
In March 2013 planning permission was granted to convert the Maltings into 21 houses and flats.
Went for a wander with a non-member.
In 1881 there were 60 maltsters and 40 brewers.
In 1932 there were 3 maltsters and 11 brewers.
We now have no maltsters at all and a few breweries.
Possibly one reason for this decline is the close proximity of Burton on Trent.
Major breweries have disappeared during town centre rebuilding in Oakham and Leicester and the remains
of the industry include some converted maltings, such as Ketton and Market Harborough and one intact
maltings and tower brewery in Sileby. English Heritage describes it as a “nationally-rare surviving exampleâ€
of a floor maltings and brewery complex.
The grade II listed maltings was built in the 1880's by William Sharpe, who had established a small brewery
behind the Duke of York public house in the 1870’s.
The brewery closed in the 1920s, but the floor maltings
remained in use by Plunkett Brothers of Ireland until 1972.
Over the following twenty years the building was divided up and used, among other things, as a sheet-metal
workers, an auto-finishers, a drapers warehouse and a knitwear manufacturer.
In March 2013 planning permission was granted to convert the Maltings into 21 houses and flats.
Went for a wander with a non-member.
