History

The Young’s Brewery has been a familiar local landmark for both Wandsworth residents and visitors for over 150 years. Opened in 1831, the site has contributed much to the borough’s social and historic fabric.

In 1831, Charles Allen Young and his partner Anthony Fothergill Bainbridge bought the Ram Brewery site. The new partnership suffered a serious setback in 1832 when a disastrous fire destroyed most of the brewhouse, but it was quickly rebuilt and in 1835 a new beam engine was erected inside the brewery. It is thought to be the oldest working beam engine of its kind in the world still in working condition and in its original location. It and its sister engine built in 1867, provided steam power in the brewery right up until 1976.

In 1883 another fire, started in the offices, caused extensive damage to part of the brewery and the Ram Inn. Both were rebuilt the following year.

A number of animals were resident in the brewery, including a ram, a number of geese and about a dozen working draught horses.

It is claimed that the Ram Brewery was the oldest British brewery in continuous operation. At its closure in 2006, the brewery was a mix of ancient and ultra-modern plant and horses and drays were still used for local deliveries of beer within a mile or two of the brewery.

The Ram Brewery officially closed on 25^th September 2006. The heritage of this site remains central to our proposals.

Our previous proposals were approved by LB Wandsworth and the GLA. However, they were subsequently called in for a public enquiry by the Secretary of State. Despite the final recommendation, the inspectors report following the enquiry found several positive aspects to praise which include some of the following extracts from the Inspectors’ Report 2010:

“In terms of the overall site layout I consider that the scheme would connect strongly to the High Street and that the routes through the site via a series of attractive public spaces would successfully connect into the surrounding pedestrian network, including the important link to the station.”

“For the most part, the scale and layout of the proposed development would be such that the new buildings would be successfully integrated into the town centre. The scheme would contribute very significantly to the regeneration of the town centre.”

“I consider these repair and conversion proposals, based on careful investigation and analysis, to be exemplary.”

“The key to the success of any regeneration proposal for Wandsworth town centre is the improvement of the gyratory system and the removal of through traffic from the High Street.”

“The size and scale of the previous scheme was considered to be “well integrated into its surroundings in both functional and visual terms.”

 

Ram Brewery circa 1920