The Rise and Fall of Thwaites’ Star Brewery

Thwaites Brewery operated for over two centuries in Blackburn providing ale to the workers of the Lancashire milltown from its foundation in 1807 to its relocation in 2018.

During these 211 years it expanded from a small operation serving local cotton-mill workers into a major regional business.

Here we tell the story of the brewery’s Blackburn site from birth, through decades of proud service, to calamitous closure and eventual demolition.

The Founding Era: Daniel Thwaites and Family (1807 to 1888)

The brewery’s story begins with Daniel Thwaites, a farmer’s son from Matterdale in the Lake District, who became managing partner of a small brewery in Blackburn’s Eanam area in 1807. This was the town’s first commercial brewery and was founded in partnership with Messrs. Edward Duckworth and William Clayton. Thwaites strengthened his position at the brewery by marrying Duckworth’s daughter Betty, and by 1824 the brewery found itself solely under Thwaites family ownership.

After Daniel’s death in 1843, his sons Thomas, Daniel Jr, and John took over, Daniel Jr. modernised the business, introduced a best bitter, expanded the pub estate, and served as Tory MP for Blackburn (1875 to 1880). Production reached about 100,000 barrels a year by 1878 following the 1863 acquisition of Snig Brook Brewery.

He died in 1888, leaving instructions to sell the business.

Elma Yerburgh: Blackburn’s Lady Bountiful (1888 to 1946)

Elma Yerburgh (née Thwaites) inherited the brewery at age 24 while on honeymoon and defying expectations she refused to sell and oversaw its incorporation as a limited company in 1897. She guided the firm through growth and modernisation, becoming a respected community figure known as “Blackburn’s Lady Bountiful.”

The business stayed in family hands after her death in 1946.

20th Century Expansion and the Star Brewery Era

In the 20th century the brewery completed several acquisitions included Henry Shaw & Co. (1924), Fountain Free Brewery (1927), Bury Brewery (1949), Preston Breweries (1955), and Yates & Jackson (1984). The Eanam site became the Star Brewery around 1948 and in the 1960s, under Chairman John Yerburgh, a major expansion created a striking nine-storey aluminium-clad tower brewhouse (opened 1966) with ‘Time for Thwaites’ signage and a time capsule. Shire horses were reintroduced for deliveries in 1960, becoming an enduring symbol.

Thwaites thrived with their popular ales, survived competitors, and celebrated its bicentenary in 2007 with by launching craft beers like Lancaster Bomber.

It remained a major employer and community fixture for the next decade until chaos and calamity struck in a manner that few businesses could ever prepare for.

The Chaotic End: The 2018 Occupation and Relocation

After 211 years at the Penny Street site, Thwaites planned to move production to a new £12 million headquarters at Mellor Brook in the Ribble Valley. However, events over the May 2018 Spring Bank Holiday weekend dramatically hastened the end of brewing there.

On the evening of Saturday the 26th around 100 travellers in a convoy of approximately 21 caravans and 25 vehicles arrived and forced entry to the brewery using an angle grinder (some sources state a chainsaw) to cut a padlock. They took over the site, preventing staff access and effectively evicting employees from the head office. An aggressive stand-off ensued with police and management.

The group left on Monday the 28th after negotiations and the convoy was escorted onto the M65. The aftermath revealed extensive damage estimated initially at £100,000 (later up to £300,000 in court). Offices were ransacked, windows smashed, furniture damaged, paperwork strewn and wiring ripped out (including around 4.5 tonnes of copper cabling stolen).

Vehicles were damaged, fire extinguishers discharged, and items including alcohol, equipment, and valuables were taken.

Over 1,700 pints of beer were poured away too after contamination by the travellers.

Court proceedings later revealed that the leader of the travellers, Thomas Ward (43), demanded £20,000 from CEO Richard Bailey (“£20,000 or the place is ours”) and when his demand was unmet, the vandalism escalated. Several individuals, including Ward family members, faced charges of blackmail, conspiracy to burgle, and criminal damage. Convictions and sentences followed in 2018–2019.

Police were heavily criticised for the delayed response due to the busy bank holiday and safety concerns, though they gathered evidence for later arrests. The incident made continued operations impossible, ending 211 years of brewing at the site.

The Star Brewery was demolished between 2019 and 2020.

Thwaites Today: Family-Owned Continuity

Still independently family-run into its sixth generation, Thwaites now brews at Mellor Brook (with a heritage centre planned). Some brands were sold to Marston’s in 2015, but it maintains smaller-batch production and a strong hospitality portfolio. The shire horses continue as a tradition.

The old Penny Street site has been cleared and is now in a holding pattern for major redevelopment, here’s a timeline of what’s happened with it since 2020:

• The buildings were fully demolished by around 2020.

• In 2021, Blackburn with Darwen Council entered a joint venture with Maple Grove Developments (part of the Eric Wright Group) to buy and redevelop the 7-acre site.

• A planned Morrisons supermarket (part of the wider £250m town centre masterplan) fell through in March 2024 when the chain cited rising costs and decided to stay put in its present location nextdoor. This stalled progress.

• In late 2024, the council bought out Maple Grove’s stake for £1.6 million to take full control and reset planning.

The Current Status of the Site

Maple Grove has returned with a ‘significant and credible’ mixed-use redevelopment proposal. The council has granted them a 12-month exclusivity period to develop detailed plans (including employment, retail, leisure, and housing elements). During this time, the council won’t actively seek other buyers but can negotiate.

Smaller adjacent buildings (e.g; former stables and offices) have been or are being converted into residential flats. Other nearby elements, like the historic Fleece Inn, have been demolished to support broader regeneration of the area.

The site remains a key ‘Big Six’ priority in the council’s local plan for town centre revival, but it is not yet under active construction for the main scheme.

Any progress depends on Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council finalising the new proposal with Maple Grove, but for now the site remains a gaping hole in Blackburn’s town centre, and in its soul.

A Run Across the Signs

(Herbert Wilkes)

There’s my Black horse he’ll face the Lion
And make the Bay horse fly
He’ll turn the Wheat Sheaf upside down
And drink the Fountain dry

He’ll leave a mark upon the Fleece
Take shine out of the Star
And make King William sue for peace
Before the Castle bar

He’ll crush the Midland on his tour
And make the Shepherd scream
Despatch Commercials any hour
To Devonshire for cream

He’ll twist the Cross Keys out of shape
And fill the Nag with dread
The Albion shall not escape
The Hart must lose it’s head

He’ll make the New Ship spring a leak
Give Craven Arms a jerk
And make the Kings afraid to speak
When Joiners are at work

He’ll straighten up the Rose and Crown
The Royal Oak must fall
He’ll knock the Cock and Bottle down
And close the Hole in t’Wall

He’ll slip the Thanet’s down a nick
And make the Heifer grin
Then cater off and throw the Brick
Beyond the Railway Inn

He’ll make the Craven look forlorn
And strain Old George’s hip
Destroy the boasting Unicorn
And the upset the Ship

He’ll make the White Horse scrape and bow
The Jolly Sailors fight
The Mason’s Arms will strike a blow
Before the Sun is bright

He’ll trample on the Woodman’s scone
T’Black Bull will turn away
And flight alone will save the Swan
Before he meets his day

Thank-you for reading. If you enjoyed this piece and would like to support further articles on the wildlife and history of the Northwest, you can buy me a coffee here.

Alex Burton-Hargreaves

(July 2026)