BEDFORD HOTEL – VICTORY, 21 Aylestone Rd.

Photo of the Bedford Hotel c1900 (Everards)

The Bedford gained its full licence in 1846. William Barston, the owner, was licensee from 1848.

1854, James Webb was charged with stealing 11d from Thomas Elliot, whilst the latter was asleep in a state of intoxication.

1854, James Webb was charged with stealing 11d from Thomas Elliot, whilst the latter was asleep in a state of intoxication.

Auctioned in 1879, the advertisement read: nine beds, four ale cellars, stabling for twenty horses, a wine cellar, brewhouse, bar, smoke, parlour and tap room.

Edward Wortley’s name above the entrance, plus the advent of the tram, dates this picture c.1906.

1883, William Matts
1894, George Illife, around which time the hotel was sold to Everards. April to July 1895, Emily Illife
1899 Mary Fenton 1901 Edwin Wortley 1908 Sam Slawson 1913 Charles Codling 1920 Edwin Wortley again
1923William Glover 1931 Albert Draper

(JRs lists):
1941 Robert Simpson 1945 Douglas Froude 1948 George Cave 1954 John Thrush 1956 Maurice Evans 1970 Alec Egan
1973 Harry Harrison 1976 David Bennett 1979 John Powell 1981 Edward Edward 1983 Andrew Williamson
1985 Malcolm Grimes 1986 Laurence Merrick 1988 Martin Webster 1993 David Holmes 1997 Michael Kinch

The Tigers association with the Bedford goes back to the 1890s when the Tigers used the Bedford as its headquarters for a time, the players changing there prior to a match, no doubt imbibing afterwards, as they didn’t have a clubhouse at the time.

 

The Bedford Hotel was renamed The Victory after Leicester Tigers Cup Final victory in
1980.

Leicester Tigers captain and England international, Peter Wheeler, re-names and opens The Victory.

Photo above: Peter Wheeler (second left), is seen here with Mr Everard and
Directors of Everards Brewery.

Like many others the pub fell into decline in the late 1990s and beyond, resulting in it only being open on match days for the Rugby and football.

In 2012, saw the local hospital buy the pub with a plan to demolish – like its previous neighbour the old Freemans Arms – to make more hospital car parking.