Daniel Thwaites began brewing ale in Blackburn's Eanam district in 1807, establishing a family enterprise that would become woven into the town's identity for more than two centuries. What began as a small brewery partnership grew into one of Lancashire's most recognisable manufacturing landmarks before transforming into a modern hospitality group.
From Cotton Town Brewhouse to Industrial Powerhouse
The brewery's origins trace to a partnership between Daniel Thwaites, Edward Duckworth, and William Clayton, operating initially as Eanam Brewery. Daniel Thwaites acquired sole ownership in 1824 and the business remained in family hands upon his death in 1843, passing to his three sons. By 1858, Daniel Thwaites Jr. had become sole proprietor, a position he held until his own death in 1888.
The brewery expanded steadily through the 19th century. Output reached 100,000 barrels annually by 1878 as Thwaites supplied the growing population of Blackburn's mill workers. The company's pub estate grew from ten properties in 1807 to hundreds across Northern England, creating a vertically integrated business that controlled production, distribution, and retail.
Elma Yerburgh and the Modern Era
The brewery's direction changed dramatically in 1888 when Daniel Thwaites Jr.'s only child, Elma Yerburgh, inherited the business at the age of 24. Against widespread expectations that she would sell, Yerburgh instead incorporated Daniel Thwaites & Co as a limited company in 1897 and steered the brewery through the turbulent early 20th century. She became the first woman to receive the Freedom of the Borough of Blackburn, an honour reflecting both her commercial success and her community contributions, which included serving as president of Blackburn Royal Infirmary for eleven years.
The post-war period brought further modernisation under Elma's grandson, John Yerburgh, who became chairman in 1966. That same year, the company opened the £5.5 million Star Brewery on Penny Street, its nine-storey tower becoming a defining feature of Blackburn's skyline visible for miles across Lancashire. A new £3 million bottling plant followed in 1972.
The Shire Horses: A Living Heritage
Shire horses have occupied a central place in Thwaites' identity since the 19th century, when teams of the heavy draft horses pulled delivery wagons through Blackburn's streets. The original stables stood in Syke Street before moving to the brewery site. The last of these working horses departed in 1927 as motor transport took over.
The breed's return to Blackburn came in 1959, when brewery manager David Kay, later managing director, reintroduced shire horses to the Thwaites stable. The breed was then near extinction, and Kay's initiative preserved a working tradition while supporting conservation efforts. The first two horses of the new era led out of the stables on May Day 1960.
The shire horses quickly became more than a novelty. In 1978, Thwaites horses met Queen Elizabeth II at the Shire Horse Society's Centenary Show and received a trophy. The connection to Blackburn deepened in 1985 when the horses were awarded the Freedom of the Borough, the same honour bestowed upon Elma Yerburgh fifty years earlier.
Today, head horseman Richard Green has cared for the Thwaites shires for 25 years. The current team comprises Drummer (age 10), Regal (age 9), Thunder (age 7), and Duke (age 4, who joined in 2025). The horses continue to appear at community events and make ceremonial deliveries to local pubs, maintaining a visible link between the company's past and present.
Transformation and Reinvention
The 21st century brought fundamental changes to Thwaites' Blackburn operations. In 2011, the company opened 'Crafty Dan', a 200-barrel craft brewery within the Star Brewery capable of producing up to three new beers weekly. This smaller-scale operation allowed experimentation alongside the main production facility.
The most significant shift came in March 2015, when Thwaites sold the major part of its beer business to Marston's for £25.1 million. The deal included the Wainwright and Lancaster Bomber brands and saw approximately 150 staff transfer to the new owner. Thwaites retained a small craft brewery for supplying its own pubs, inns, and hotels.
Brewing in Blackburn ended in 2018 after 211 years, with operations relocating to Sykes Holt in Mellor Brook, approximately five miles from the town centre. The iconic Star Brewery tower, delayed from demolition in 2018 due to nesting peregrine falcons, was finally demolished in October 2019. Local reaction to the tower's removal reflected its status as a town landmark; the Lancashire Telegraph described it as "part of the fabric of the town" whose absence would "change Blackburn's skyline forever."
Thwaites Today: From Brewer to Hospitality Group
The modern Daniel Thwaites remains a family-owned business, now operating primarily as a hospitality group. The company manages approximately 270 pubs, inns, and hotels across England, including properties such as Langdale Chase in the Lake District, the Aztec Hotel & Spa in Bristol, and the North Lakes Hotel & Spa in Penrith.
The leadership structure reflects the family's continued involvement. Richard Bailey, Ann Yerburgh's son-in-law, serves as executive chairman, while Yerburgh family members remain as non-executive directors. The company received recognition as AA Hotel Group of the Year 2026, with Langdale Chase featured in The Times Best Places to Stay in both 2025 and 2026.
The transition from industrial brewer to hospitality group mirrors broader economic changes in Blackburn and Lancashire. Where the company once employed over 300 people manufacturing ale for cotton town workers, it now focuses on service, accommodation, and the preserved tradition of its shire horses. The horses, awarded the same civic honour as the brewery's most celebrated owner, serve as a living reminder of the company's origins even as the Star Brewery tower no longer dominates the Blackburn skyline.