Simonds Hop Leaf sign
between 1930 and 1960
Metal enamelled Simonds sign
Large red enamelled advert for Simonds Brewery, featuring the distinctive Hop Leaf trademark. The red Hop Leaf signs were introduced at all Simonds pubs in 1930 by Board Director Eric Simonds.
William Blackall Simonds first established a brewery in Broad Street, Reading in 1785. About five years later he had commissioned locally born architect, John Soane, to design a brew house at Seven Bridges, now Bridge Street, where they remained until being sold to Courage in 1960. Brewing finally ended on the site in 1980. The hop leaf motif that became the company symbol was featured on the brewery building.
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