Belsham resigned the divinity chair in June 1789, having become a Unitarian, and the academy was removed in November to Northampton.
Broadbent continued to act as tutor till the end of 1791, when he became minister at Warrington (he took out his licence on 18 Jan. 1792), and removed to Cockey Moor.
But at Warrington he re-examined his theological convictions, and becoming a Unitarian of the Belsham school, he succeeded in carrying nearly all his congregation with him.
Biblical exegesis was Broadbent's favourite study, and textual interpretation played a prominent part in his preaching.
He resigned his Warrington charge in the spring of 1822, induced by broken health and the depressing effects of the loss of his son.