William Blackall Simonds
William Blackall Simonds | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1761 Reading, England |
| Died | 1834 |
| Occupation(s) | Brewer, banker |
| Known for | Founder of H & G Simonds Brewery and J & C Simonds Bank; Mayor of Reading (1816) |
William Blackall Simonds (1761–1834) was a prominent brewer and banker based in Reading, England. He established the H & G Simonds Brewery, which later combined with others in 1960 to create Courage, Barclay, Simonds & Co. Additionally, he founded J & C Simonds Bank, an institution that eventually evolved into part of Barclays bank.
In 1782, Simonds took over his father's malting and brewing enterprise. Seven years later, in 1789, he purchased a site along the River Kennet and engaged architect Sir John Soane to design a brewery and residence there. This location benefited from river transport for both sourcing materials and distributing products, remaining active as a brewery until 1980.
To support the growth of his brewing operations and increase distribution channels, Simonds partnered with local businessmen in 1791 to establish a bank situated in Reading's Market Place. Facing difficulties with local beer licensing regulations, he gradually shifted his attention toward banking. By 1814, he ended the original partnership and created a family-operated bank alongside his son Henry and cousins John and Charles Simonds. This venture became known as John Simonds, Charles Simonds & Co., Reading Bank, headquartered on King Street.
Simonds held the office of mayor of Reading in 1816 before retiring first to London and subsequently to Pangbourne, where he passed away in 1834.
For many years, his family continued managing both the brewery and banking enterprises. By the late 1860s, the bank had expanded its reach with branches extending from Basingstoke to High Wycombe. The institution was acquired by Barclays Bank in 1913, which maintained operations at the King Street branch until 2008.
His grandson, George Blackall Simonds, assumed the role of brewery chairman in 1910. The brewery joined forces with London-based Courage and Barclay Perkins in 1960 to form Courage, Simonds and Barclay. The company operated from its original riverside premises until moving to a new facility near the M4 motorway in 1980.