William’s younger son Frederic took the helm from George in 1859 and, so brewing capacity could be expanded, bought a warehouse to the rear of the Unicorn inn. As a result, during the 1860’s Robinsons ale was available at many pubs in and around Stockport. To control the quality of conditions in which the ales were sold by independent publicans, Frederic decided to buy a number of public houses and between 1878 and his death in 1890 established 12 exclusive outlets for Robinsons ale- beginning what was to eventually become an estate of more than 340 pubs across the north west and wales.

Frederic Robinson Ltd
Unicorn Brewery
Lower Hillgate
Stockport
SK1 1JJ

Phone     0161 612 4061
Fax        0161 476 6011