This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of our Unicorn Packaging Centre (UPC) in Bredbury.
Unicorn Packaging Centre officially opened its doors on the 21st October 1976, marking a major milestone in our history. The building was originally named Unicorn Bottling Stores and the site was built to expand our bottling operations and meet growing demand. At the time, the state-of-the-art facility featured a versatile bottling line capable of handling up to 14,000 nip bottles per hour, with the flexibility to package a wide range of products including ales, stouts, lagers, shandy and cider.
Lord Boyd, with the Directors and their wives on the official opening of UPC on the 21st October 1976 (Left) and Cecil Robinson at the topping out ceremony in 1976 (Right).
Unicorn Packaging Centre (formally known as Unicorn Bottling Stores) in 1976
The bottling site was also designed with growth in mind, offering refrigerated beer storage for 800 bulk barrels, capacity for around 75,000 dozen bottles in the stockroom, and loading facilities to support distribution. These capabilities helped lay the foundations for the growth of our cask, keg and bottling operations and ensured our beers could reach more customers than ever before.
Fifty years of progress in the bottling site.
Built on the same site of the former Horsfield Arms, UPC remains proud of its roots. Although the pub closed in 2013, its legacy lives on through the main social space, named in its honour, which was refurbished in early 2026 to continue to serve as a popular hub for colleagues.
The former Horsfield Arms in 1975 (left) and The Horsfield social space in UPC, newly completed in 2026 (right).
Over the last five decades, UPC has evolved far beyond its original purpose as a bottling facility and is now home to our main brewing, packaging and distribution operations that help keep Robinsons beers flowing across the country to our pubs and customers. While the site and technology have changed, one thing has remained constant: the dedication of the people who work there.
From brewing and packaging teams to dray drivers and support staff, generations of colleagues have played a part in shaping UPC into what it is today. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we thank everyone who has contributed to its success over the last 50 years and look forward to the future of this important part of Robinsons’ story.
Discover the stories of our Unicorn Packaging Centre colleagues and their journeys throughout the years below
Debbie lloyd
We recently caught up with Debbie Lloyd, Warehouse Administrator, to find out more about her time with us over the past 15 years. Find out more here!
martyn weeks
This September, we wish farewell to Martyn as he steps away from his role of Director of Brewing and Brewing Operations and departs us for a slower pace of life.
richard edwards – 15 years
Richard Edwards, our Head Brewer, celebrates 15 years at Robinsons and reflects on his time with us.
dave holland – 25 years
With 25 years at Robinsons under his belt, Dave Holland has seen the business grow, change and evolve from the inside out.
phil borkin – 20 years
We recently celebrated 20 years on Phil Borkin, our Productive Operative at UPC. Joining Robinsons in 2005, Phil had always had a career in food manufacturing and wanted to venture into brewing.