When strikes brought about change for the Tolly Cobbold brewery in 1977

A meeting about pay negotiations among Tolly Cobbold staff (Image: Archant)

Tolly Cobbold, the former Suffolk brewing company that had strong roots within the county, was created from the merging of the Cobbold and Tollemache family brewing companies in 1957.

A meeting about pay negotiations among Tolly Cobbold staff (Image: Archant)

In the 1970s conflict was brought to the industry, with many disgruntled workers growing increasingly unhappy with their pay they were receiving.

A meeting about pay negotiations among Tolly Cobbold staff (Image: Archant)

The year of change for the famous Suffolk company was 1977, starting with the brewery workers who went on strike over pay negotiations.

A meeting about pay negotiations among Tolly Cobbold staff (Image: Archant)

The strikes soon spread through to Colchester, Cambridge and Norwich, and had an immediate effect on the supply of beer to the public houses in Ipswich and the surrounding areas.

A meeting about pay negotiations among Tolly Cobbold staff (Image: Archant)

Later that year Tolly Cobbold was taken over by the Ellerman Lines. In 1989 the production of Tolly Cobbold beers was transferred to Camerons Brewery, then Ridley’s Brewery and then, finally, Greene King.

A meeting about pay negotiations among Tolly Cobbold staff (Image: Archant)

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