Claim: Phipps NBC–a merger between P. Phipps (began as Phipps Brewery in Towcester in 1801) and Northampton Brewery Co. Ltd. in 1957–was bought by London based brewer Watney Mann in 1960.
Evidence: In 1960, London based brewer Watney Mann launched a successful bid for the company. In 1957, P. Phipps merged with neighbours, Northampton Brewery Co. Ltd. At this point, the company had 1131 tied houses (pubs), 711 from Phipps and 420 from NBC. The company began in the South Northamptonshire town of Towcester where founder Pickering Phipps started brewing in 1801.