Cecil Newton was one of the top directors of Newton & Ridley. His authority within the brewery was such that even after retirement he had the final say in their operations. In 1987, Alec Gilroy went to see Cecil regarding the tenancy of the Rovers Return. Alec was trying to trace Bet Lynch as she'd disappeared with £12,000 he loaned her to buy the tenancy. Alec felt entitled to the tenancy and was miffed when Cecil asked him to take over the Rovers as a mere manager until Bet came back. Bet had been in contact with the brewery and told them she was in Torremolinos, news which Cecil passed on to Alec. Alec flew out to Spain to find Bet himself and he proposed to her there. On their return, they successfully applied for the tenancy together.