William built his own premises for the thriving business. Terrace houses for workers' families and stables for the horses were added.
After many years, the last remaining family member Tom Fawcett sells up. Real ale lover Michael Ryan takes the reins and develops Moorhouse’s first alcoholic beer, Premier Bitter.
The business changes hands four times in two years, barely selling 10 barrels of beer a week.
Alan Hutchinson, owner of a chain of hotels, bingo halls and night clubs buys the company. Pendle Witches Brew is born. Sales increase to 25 barrels a week.
Mr Hutchinson dies unexpectedly. Apollo Leisure buy his business empire but have no interest in the brewery. Workers are given redundancy notices.
Businessman William Parkinson tries a pint of Pendle Witches Brew and the rest is history! Within seven days he has bought the business, saving it from extinction.
Winners of the Burnley Business Awards 2015 Long Standing Contribution Award to acknowledge Moorhouses ongoing contribution to Burnley.
The brewery belonged to the Moorhouse family for generations. After the last remaining family member sold up, the business had a swift series of owners who for various reasons were unable to make it work, until sadly in 1982 it was faced with extinction.
Brewery workers had already been given their redundancy notices when Manchester businessman, William Parkinson, first tried a pint of
one legendary lunchtime. Being from Burnley himself and intrigued by the Pendle connection he asked about Moorhouse’s at the bar. On hearing of the company’s imminent closure, Mr. Parkinson made some enquiries… and within just seven days he was the proud new owner of Moorhouse’s, bringing it back from the brink.