JW Lees

JW Lees was founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees, beginning a brewing business that has remained in family ownership for almost two centuries. Based in Middleton in north-east Manchester, it describes itself as Manchester's oldest brewery and is now run by the seventh generation of the Lees family.

The heart of the business is Greengate Brewery at Middleton Junction, where JW Lees continues to brew its established range of beers and lagers. Its brewing operation combines long-standing Manchester brewing traditions with modern production, producing core beers throughout the year alongside changing seasonal releases.

Cask beer remains an important part of JW Lees' identity, with the brewery supplying its beers across its extensive pub estate. Seasonal beers supplement the core range, while the in-house Boilerhouse microbrewery provides an additional outlet for smaller-scale and more experimental brews.

Over generations, JW Lees has grown beyond brewing into a substantial hospitality business. Its estate stretches from Greater Manchester through Cheshire and Lancashire to North Wales and includes managed and tenanted pubs, inns and hotels. The business also owns The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby's Wine Merchants.

Despite this growth, JW Lees remains an independent family business. Brewing and hospitality continue to sit at the centre of the company, with members of the family involved in its management and a workforce extending from the Greengate Brewery to pubs and hotels across the region.

Today, JW Lees combines nearly two centuries of Manchester brewing heritage with one of the North West's largest independent pub estates. Its continued family ownership, historic brewery and commitment to cask beer make it one of the region's longest-established surviving independent brewers.