Photo above of a rat pit, 1869
Billson’s Medieval Leicester, records the Beehive as “an old Inn near the West Bridge”
1849 Directory states, ‘The Beehive is from Bridge St to the Wharf, Beehive four houses from Wharf. Close to the towpath and canal.’
Some of the licensees:
1846, William Whatton In august that year LJ reported that The Retail Brewers Protection Society met at Wm Whattons Bee Hive, West Bridge Station,
1850, Edward Richardson
In May 1856, the body of a child, was found as men were emptying a cesspool in the yard of the the Beehive, which was open to the street. The body was found under the seat, at the inquest the jury returned a verdict of ‘child found dead, but no evidence how or why’.
1862 Thomas Bolesworth with wife Ann, who seemed to take it in turns on being bought to court for licensing offences.
1867, William Goodman
1869 Joseph Foreman. Joseph was warned by magistrates to remove his rat catching pit or he forfeit his licence. (see photo above)
The West End Inn had previously had its rat pit closed some three years previous.
Oddly one in Soar Lane next to the Ship Inn was to survive until c 1913.
1871, George Bunney. – During George’s time a partially blind man, William Burdett, left the Beehive by the back door which was close to the canal. He was found drowned later in the River Soar, the inquest was told that he had been fished out of the water on three previous occasions, verdict ‘drowned but no evidence how the deceased got into the water’.
1876-1880 (till closure), William Withers.
On the 1 January 1880, the Leicester Chronicle reported the Beehive being pulled down to make way for a new road.
J.R. claims that the Beehive’s sign was a painted Beehive, with the following words underneath.
Within this hive we’re all alive
Good ale will make you funny
If you are dry when you pass by
Step in and taste our honey.