Flowers Final 28:02:25 - Flipbook - Page 127
was a distinguished naturalist and surgeon, and conservator of the Hunterian Museum of the College of
Surgeons. He also served as director of the Natural History Museum.
It was under the stewardship of Charles and Edgar Flower that the new brewery was constructed. During the
mid-Victorian period the firm had become one of the most important employers in Stratford-upon-Avon. By
the time the new brewery was completed the work force was around 200. Many more local people were
engaged in trades that depended on the continued success of the company. In the late 1860s John Tod Dickie
and John Wittews Downson joined the two Flower brothers in the management of the company.
The new brewery was constructed by the building firm of J&G Gallaway during the winter of 1869 and
completed in March 1870. The old Brewery remained in operation next to the canal network but, with the
introduction of new transport networks, the new brewery re-sited close to Stratford-upon-Avon9s railway
station and was served by its own sidings. The brewery was further extended in 1874, suggesting that the
original plans were inadequate although the company9s sales were exceeding expectations. Export sales were
an important component of the accounts and facilitated growth, along with establishing Flower and Sons as an
important UK brewery. A network of agency offices were established throughout the country and this
developed the company9s domestic market considerably during the late 19th century.
