Duck,
Reference the other brewery in Longton, I've just come across an old copy of Ale Cry, (CAMRA's quarterly magazine), from Autumn 2006 which mentions both breweries.
"In the early 1900’s the then small village of Longton
was an interesting place for the beer drinker, with
two rival breweries being situated just yards apart
on Marsh Lane. Like Matthew Brown, both had come
into existence around 1830 when there had been an
important change in the country’s beer duty laws. The
smaller of the two breweries was JAMES PYE & SON,
based at the Longton Brewery and with a company
trademark of a boars head on a platter. Unfortunately
Pye’s was to survive only until 1905, when it was taken
over by Walmesleys of Preston, with the Smithy Inn at
Much Hoole being one of about 10 pubs which were
selling their beers.
The loss of Pye’s meant that neighbouring brewers and
maltsters W&R WILKINS were able to expand, and over
the years they were to build up an estate of over 20
pubs. Wilkins Brewery pubs were thick on the ground in
Longton and the surrounding villages, with the Golden
Ball being the brewery tap. In 1952 Wilkins Brewery was
taken over by Salford-based brewers Groves & Whitnall."
If anybody wants to read more the link is
http://www.wlancscamra.org.uk/Alecry/Autumn%202006.pdfRegards
Nigel