Roughsedge and Summers
of 12, 15 18 and 37 Bridge Street, Bristol.
Soda water manufacturer.
1834 Company founded by William Roughsedge and William Summers. Roughsedge and Summers both worked for J. Schweppe and Co. in London. Roughsedge left London in the 1820s to work as Schweppe & Co.’s Bristol agent; Summers was the principal engineer at Schweppe's London mineral water factory. In 1834, the proprietors of J. Schweppe & Co. sold the company and, after disagreements with the new owners, Roughsedge and Summers decided to form their own company. Due to their former connection with Jacob Schweppe, the two men decided to have their mineral water bottles embossed with the words ‘Roughsedge & Summers from J. Schweppe & Co.’. The use of the latter company’s name unsurprisingly led to a prolonged legal dispute. Roughsedge and Summers first factory was located at 37 Bridge Street.
1837 Started selling lemonade. Convicted of selling small quantities of brandy with their drinks.
1842 Added ‘Fluid Magnesia’ to their products.
1842 Business operating from 18 and 37 Bridge Street.
1856 Business at 15 and 37 Bridge Street. Selling Gingerade, Potass and Imperial German Seltzer waters.
1859 Roughsedge and Summers’ warehouse adjacent Canterbury Music Hall, Mary-Le-Port Street damaged by fire.
1866 Premises at 12, 15 and 37 Bridge Street. ‘Lithia Waters’ added to the range of products. William Roughsedge died, but the company continued trading under the existing name.
1869 Partnership between William Summers and Roughsedge’s widow Mary was dissolved on the 6th of March. Summers continued trading as W. Summers and Co.