The Blazing Star is recorded in 1772 in R. Bones unpublished BA L457 (Leicester Library)
The other Star pub on Belgrave Gate was situated on the Public Wharf, near where St. Marks church stands close to Foundry Square. It was also recorded as the Blazing Star, circa 1564. The Public Wharf was let in parcels of land to different traders to place coal and other mostly marine trades for sale.
In the early 1800s, John Bryan kept the Star. The tap room faced the Wharf and there he entertained ‘Leicester society for the prosecution of robbers’ in 1814.
In August 1828, a six- year old boy was drowned whilst playing in the water outside the Star. The inquest held at the Star was told he was playing with other boys when he fell in. His father, a tin-ware traveller was informed, but on dashing to the spot found only the boy’s cap floating in the water.
In 1833 John Bryan put the brewing vessels up for sale. Bryan who was described as a coal merchant, victular and marine store dealer. He was charged in 1840 with possession – under suspicious circumstances – of a quantity of iron stolen from the Midland Railway. After a long hearing the case couldn’t be proved. Although the iron was found in Byron’s Shed, there was a doubt how it got there as John Byron claimed he had let the shed out to a bone dealer.
John Byron put the Star up for sale in 1841 and Henry Flude succeeded him as victualler in 1843
A tragic fire broke out shortly after Flude took over in October 1844. The fire began in the brewhouse and spread to the adjoining stable igniting bales of straw. A messenger was dispatched to fetch the fire brigade but unfortunately he met with a mishap when his horse tripped on a shop sign as he was turning into Eastgates and he was thrown through Mr Sharpe’s drapers shop window.
Further distress was caused when a foal, dog and puppies were found dead under some straw after the fire was eventually distinguished some hours later, both brewhouse and stable were gutted.
In 1856 the Blazing Star was up for sale again.
That old established Public House called the Blazing Star-stables and offices, buildings fronting Foundry Lane, also in Public Wharf yard, also plaster and salt warehouse adjoining, with valuable building land of 2,236 square yds also 3 tenements converted into a chapel & school all in the occupation of John Byron.
Henry recorded himself as a coal merchant and farmer in the 1851 census. He lived with his wife Elizabeth (who died 1857) & family. In 1861 and 1871, Henry was listed as a Corn and Coal Merchant. He did not record himself as a victualler in the census.
Henry Flude claimed he ran the Star or Blazing Star as he called it until 1873. A dispute with the Navigation Company who claimed the beer house had been closed for some time resulted at the 1873 Brewster Sessions, the renewal of the licence being objected too. An employee of the Navigation Co. claimed Flude hadn’t opened the doors for nine or ten years and the signboard had gone. Flude disputed this, replying whilst admitting the Blazing Star was closed at present, had been popular with boatman in the past and he intended to get a new tenant. The bench decided a renewal could not be granted due the house not being used as intended in the past few years, so his renewal was refused 28 August 1873.
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