From its modest origins of offering only apple juice, the Frobishers brand has blossomed into a selection of 20 premium beverages, now readily available in pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels across the UK. This remarkable journey began at The Anchor pub in Oldbury on Severn, where the visionary founder, Mike Dowdeswell, first introduced not-from-concentrate apple juice from the trunk of his car.
After a stint in the Merchant Navy and managing various pubs, Mike took a leap of faith by purchasing The Anchor Inn in 1969. It was during this time that a Somerset cider maker approached him with an offer of freshly pressed apple juice. Recognising the dominance of national brands offering from-concentrate apple juice in the on-trade market, Mike, an astute innovator, identified an opportunity for a premium offering. He swiftly collaborated with a bottler and distributed cases of apple juice to local pubs for tasting. The overwhelmingly positive response marked the birth of his fruit juice venture. Expanding on this success, he soon introduced additional varieties, including orange, pear, and pineapple juices.
Recognising the need for his fruit juice business to stand as an independent entity, Mike set out to find an appropriate name. In his quest for a name that sounded ""posh,"" he perused telephone directories for inspiration. It was in the British Telecom directory for the London suburbs that he stumbled upon "Frobisher" (the exchange for the desirable Earls Court). Delighted by the alliteration of 'fresh' and 'fruit' in the 'FR,' Frobishers Juices came into existence, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey in the world of premium beverages.