Devenish Brewery

Devenish Brewery originated with the Flew Brewery, which had operated from Hope Square since 1742.[1] William Devenish acquired a lease of the brewery in 1821 and then purchased it three years later. The brewery retained the Flew name until 1851, when it was changed to J. A. Devenish & Co. Ltd.[2] The company acquired the Cornish Brewery Co. Ltd at Redruth in 1934 (later renamed Devenish Redruth Brewery Co Ltd in 1960) and the Weymouth-based rival Groves & Sons Ltd in 1960.[1][3]

Devenish faced financial difficulties by the 1980s,[4] and brewing ceased at Hope Square in November 1985.[5] Following its closure, Devenish and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council launched a major plan to transform the building into a shopping centre with a pub and restaurant.[6] Devenish spent £4.5 million on refurbishing the building and transforming it into Brewers Quay, which opened in June 1990. The new complex was hailed as "the Covent Garden of Dorset" and received numerous awards and commendations.[7]

Meanwhile, in February 1986, Devenish merged with Inn Leisure,[4] and brewing was concentrated at the Redruth facility.[3] The site was sold to new operators in June 1991 and renamed Redruth Brewery (closed in 2004).[8][9] Devenish remained active as a pub company and distributor until 1993, when it was sold for £214 million to Greenalls.[4][10]