In 1872 brothers William and Henry Tanner founded the firm of W & HE Tanner in Shrewsbury.

In 1912 they acquired the Old Brewery at Welshpool and in 1926 the wine merchant's business of Thomas Whitefoot and Son.

Thomas Southam and Son, founded at Wyle Cop in 1842 was taken over by Tanners in 1936 and for some years the two businesses were run separately. Both businesses were amalgamated at Wyle Cop when in Wartime, Tanners' cellars were requisitioned as air raid shelters. The firm traded as Tanner and Southam until 1960 when the name Southam was dropped to eliminate confusion with Southam's Brewery, which was then still trading.

In 1978 Tanners acquired the Hereford wine merchants William Pulling and Co, together with their bonded warehouse and the old Hereford distillery. Pullings dated from 1813.

Today, Tanners is an independent, family owned and run company employing 87 people in four locations. Two thirds of the firm's sales are to quality-minded hotels and restaurants, public houses and clubs, not only local, but also country wide. They attribute their success to an increasing pursuit of quality, both in the products supplied, and in the level of service provided.

The buying team, led by James Tanner, Joint Managing Director, spends many weeks each year visiting producers and tasting hundreds of samples received at Wyle Cop. Quantities available are often limited and in this respect a firm the size of Tanners has a distinct advantage over the big groups.

Tanners are part owners of the Merchant Vintners company and its subsidiaries and are also one of the six leading fine wine merchants who make up "The Bunch", an association started to champion the cause of all independent wine merchants.

Tanners Wines Ltd
The Old Brewery
Brook Street, Welshpool
Powys SY21 7LF

Tel: 01938 552542
Fax: 01938 556565
E-mail: Sales@tanners-wines.co.uk
Website: www.tanners-wines.com