For much of its history, it was a main industry[1] and a significant employer in the area.
[3] The site was redeveloped as a shopping centre named The Brewery, which opened in 2001.
[4] The brewery produced John Bull Bitter, named after the archetypal English farmer.
[5] The brewery was founded in 1708 by Benjamin Wilson[6] as an attachment to the Star Inn on the high street, then the main road to the City of London, and beside the River Rom.
The site was redeveloped in 2001 as The Brewery shopping centre, with one of the 160 ft (50 m) chimneys incorporated into the design.