SPITALHOUSE, 252 BELGRAVE ROAD

Known as Spitalhouse Inn, Spitalhouse Hotel and Spittlehouse Brewery.

The Sptalhouse stood a few doors away from the Old Pack Horse, opposite the Bridle Lane Tavern.

The 1779 Borough records show that one John Brierly was shot dead near the Spitalhouse.

This building was erected in 1858 by Thomas Edgley and was granted full license in 1862. Spital meant hospital.

1870 Henry Illsley landlord

1875 Hy Windram also listed as Brewer of the Spitlahouse Brewery, wanted strong youth about 16 ‘to make himself useful. Henry Windram left to take over the White Lion Market Place in 1877, a couple of years ealier Henry had lost his wife Sarah who died only aged 31.

1877 William Green who moved from the Bishop Blaise became host. Wm was there until 1889 where he ran the Abbey Park Bowling club Wm died March 1889

1889 Walter Eaton-1891 Walters wife Mary took over on his death.

1892 Wm Pickering Spitalhouse was known for its celery and onion shows

1906 James Muddimer held the licence it seems he was also the owner as records show below. James Muddimer was still the licensee 1920 The Spital House had one of the biggest sick clubs in the country with over 400 members.

1942 Archibald Lunn a soldier who had deserted from the Army twice stole money and jewelry to the tune of £54 from a bedroom at the Spitlhouse he was remanded with recommendation for Borstal.

1950 Albert Gregory listed as manager of the Spital house .

The Spitalhouse closed the early 1960s to make way for the new road system. Compulsory purchased 1963 for the sum of 8k by the council for the new Abbey Park rd diversion. Thomas Saunders possibly the last landlord, he would run it as a cafe when its licence was removed.

The Spitalhouse was originally a religious hospital or Bede house, most possibly for lepers dating from thirteenth century dedicated by William the leper son of Robert Blanchmains . known as the Spital or St Edmunds Leper hospital pulled down c 1782.

Glimpses of Ancient Leicester by Mrs Fielding Johnson  has it on or near the site of the Old Packhorse, further evidence comes in 1837 when the rental of the Spittle House or Old Pack Horse  a charge of £20 per annum to the corporation to be made of which 2/3rds was to go to the poor. This was challenged in a letter claiming the building formally the Spittle House now the Pack Horse was left to the poor by Robert Heyrick in the reign of Elizabeth I, which dates it pretty well the same as the Pack Horse building. This argument was countered by the fact that the £20 rent for the Spittle or Pack Horse had been paid for at least the previous eighty years.

So what are we to assume? The Spittle seems to be next to or part of the Pack Horse and the Spittle House pub was built on or near the site of the original and subsequently named after it.