Randall's Brewery

Randall's Brewery

Until 1992 Randall's was, together with Ann Street Brewery, one of the two largest brewers in Jersey, but it has ceased brewing and concentrates on its ownership of a large group of public houses in the island.

The brewery in 1939

Early days

The company has a rich and colourful history, dating back to the early 1800s. It was born out of a combination of two local breweries - Clare Street and Minden Place. Both located in the heart of the Island’s capital, St Helier, the two breweries began combining their operations in 1819.

The Clare Street Brewery started out as the New Market Brewery, owned by Thomas Turner, in what is now known as Beresford Street. In 1833 Mr Turner had moved this brewery to 7 and 9 Gloucester Street, before some years later settling on the Clare Street premises, where the brewery remained.

The Minden Place brewery was originally two breweries in one street - one owned by F de la Taste, the other by Joseph Bennett Quirk. Between 1833 and 1837 the two owners operated from these combined premises, until Mr de la Taste moved his interest to another part of town, Wesley Street, and this became known as the Caesarean Brewery.

Brewing continued at the Minden Place Brewery, as well a bottling department and stables for horses and their wagons. Another site, 6 Peirson Road, was also part of the operation - providing the malting facility for the Clare Street Brewery.

The stark Clare Street frontage before redevelopment

Randall family

Robert Randall was the maltster at Minden Place. When Mr Quirk died, he bought the Minden Place Brewery for his second son, Charles Walter Randall. Charles was a frequent traveller to Normandy, to buy barley for malting, which he would then sell to the smaller breweries in the Island. During the First World War the whole of the brewing was moved to Clare Street, in order to economise on labour. When the war ended, the Minden Place Brewery was reopened and brewing continued there until Charles Walter Randall's death in 1919.

Another member of the family, Harry Aubin Randall, continued to run the brewery until his own death in 1935. Leaving no will, the brewery then reverted to Harry's widow and sister until 1964, when the business was bought by the Hon Edward Greenall. In 1978, wine and spirits merchants J F Vautier Limited was acquired, and the company became known as Randalls Vautier.

Merchant Vintners

1986 saw a further major development, with modern warehousing to accomodate the increasing business and the aquisition of the specialist wine company Merchant Vintners. In 1992 the company stopped its brewing opertaion, in order to concentrate on modernising its public houses to meet increased customer demands and provide greater choice of product and food, which is now the mainstay for most public houses.

Existing premises were refurbished, with the addition of children's areas and entertainment, as well as new pubs joining the group. During 1994 The Admiral and Chambers were added, with the Earl Grey at First Tower in 1998, as well as refurbishments at country pubs Les Fontaines, The Pembroke and La Pulente.

The Old Portelet Inn, popular with locals and visitors, has undergone many improvements, the Goose on the Green, now simply called The Goose, was refurbished, Kings wine bar and restaurant was added, a retail cash and carry Vins Direct was opended, and St Peters Country Inn was totally refurbished

The Clare Street Brewery site has been redeveloped into the company's head office, which opened in May 2005.

Anniversary history

1927 advert

The business celebrated its bicentenary in 2023 and this history was published to mark the occasion by Bailiwick Express

"As it celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, Express takes a look back at the history of a pub chain which has become a staple of island life. It all started in 1823, when Mr Robert Randall arrived in Jersey as a young boy from Dorset. After first working as a maltster – someone who makes malt for use in brewing or distilling – Mr Randall eventually acquired the Minden Place Brewery.

"In 1847, he merged it with the Clare Street Brewery, establishing Randalls as "Jersey's original brewery." The company flourished under the leadership of Mr Randall's son, Harry, and later under the tenure of Mrs Violet H Walker – who made history as the first female managing director in 1936. Unfortunately, Mrs Walker had to evacuate due to the war in June 1940, and Mr J A Ereaut took over as managing director.

"From June 1940 to May 1945 the German Occupation forced pubs in the island to make tough decisions in the absence of raw materials for brewing, as well as the scarcity of beer and cider. Pub owners were forced to implement cost-cutting measures, including implementing a one-week on, one-week off working schedule for staff.

"Moreover, the Germans imposed strict regulations on alcohol sales and distribution, leaving pubs to operate under the risk of severe consequences for any violations. Nevertheless, numerous pubs managed to persevere, becoming gathering places that offered locals and occupying German forces a sense of normality.

"In February 1964, the Randalls business was bought by the Hon Edward Greenall, and a new bottling plant was installed while the brewery was extended and modernised. In 1978 Randalls Brewery acquired wine and spirit merchants, J F Vautier, and the company became known as 'Randalls Vautier Ltd'. The wine and spirit warehousing was subsequently moved to Clare Street Brewery.

"In 1986 a further major redevelopment of the brewery site provided modern warehousing to accommodate the increasing business. However, in 1992 the company ceased its brewing operations and shifted towards modernising its public houses. This move was made to cater to the increased demand from customers and provide a wider range of food and beverage options, which had by then become the mainstay for most pubs.

"Randalls undertook refurbishment of existing premises, adding children's areas, entertainment, and welcoming new pubs to the group. The Portelet Inn was added to the group in 1991, followed by The Admiral and Chambers in 1994, and The Earl Grey at First Tower in 1998. Refurbishments at country pubs including The Goose, Les Fontaines, The Pembroke, and The Tenby swiftly followed."

Family tree

• Family tree

Gallery

Click on any image to see a full-size version

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  Randalls' offices in Clare Street on the right of this photograph
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  Beer at 8d a gallon!
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