Built in the late 1960s, with plush restaurant and bar overlooking the city, the Hotel Complex soon included a bar fronting Abbey St. named the Holyrood. This was Scottish and Newcastle’s first major venture in Leicester, a sister pub to the Swinging Sporran in Oadby. The Holyrood soon became a popular venue for younger people. Within a few years, after the complex changed hands, the Holyrood was replaced with a new name Riches, this was relatively short lived.
Opening at a later date in the complex was the Brewers Arms with its own entrance in Upper Parliament St.
Building with narrow windows. How did we fall for drinking keg Tartan bitter in an almost windowless, soulless mock architecture. The pub was typical of the period and it packed ‘em in. Very few of these survived for any length of time.
Scottish and Newcastle’s ‘Father William’ emblem that sat on the top of the tower.
DAYS INN
Its later days ground floor was a double cinema with Penthouse club, then a Bollywood cinema and various other uses,
by 2020 The building looks in a sorry state unloved covered in graffiti a far cry from its glamorous beginnings
I was a trainee chef in the early 70s happy days
Had our Wedding Reception there in 1972. Fabulous place then
I was a trainee chef there too, I was only 16 from Edinburgh
Hi Kevin, I was also a comi chef back then, l lived in the hotel accommodation on the ground level in the car park. The rooms filled with car fumes on a Sat morning I remember. Oh happy days!
I was a trainee chef there too from 86-88, I too lived in the ground floor car park accommodation, room number 1
Hi James, I was there in the Mid 70s bit before you.
Did you also experience the blue exhaust haze on a Sat morning? They wouldn’t get away with that these days
can you remember Albi who washed the pots in the carvery kitchen.?
Hi Kevin, no unfortunately not, way too long ago! Actually I can’t remember any names at all of the people I worked beside.
So was I👍
Hi Kevin
I worked full time in the Carvery I was there for the opening of the restaurant I was about 17 years old .
1971/72 I think for about 2 years .
We used to wear Tartan kilts for our uniforms.
Did you work with a young tall chef called Michael, he was a good looking blonde hair boy around about 18/19 years?
He lived in Sunderland I think.
I had a few dates with him and his parents came to pick him up because he was moving back home.
I used to go there, before I went to the penny farthing nightclub. Happy Days
I remember that disco well.
Thanks all for your comments and interest
I lived there …my dad was the Manager.
can anybody remember Elza who was a waitress and my girlfriend.
Afraid I can’t remember that name, I worked as a chef in the Abbey in the mid 70s
Was that the site of the CineCentre cinema in the 1980s, or am I mistaking things after all these years?
Hi Alistair, I believe your correct and into the 90s, as i went there a few times, thanks for your comments and interest
We used to play football on the roof!,