Photo above: taken before the widening of Causeway Lane, resulting in the demolition of the next-door building, thereby isolating the Cherry Tree.
1778 Auction held at William Martins Cheery Tree Bond St of a freehold Messuage in Church Gate by the name of Cross Keys in the occupation of Mr Bagget.
1792 Revolution Club entertained at the Cherry Tree to remember the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
Prince of Wales Loyal Leicester Fencibles All Fine Spirited Fellows to serve King & Countrey will be met with the most liberal bounty, Headquarters at the Cherry Tree where recruits will be received by Sergeant Lundlam, God Save the King.
Another Advert same year in the Leicester Journal April 25 1794:
Leicestershire Regiment of Militia
A few volunteers are wanted to add to the above Regiment. Single men, well recommended, from 5ft 6inches high and upwards, will be liberally treated with, by applying to Sergeant John Fossett, at the Cherry Tree in Leicester. To prevent trouble no man but what belongs to this or an adjuring county can be taken. Men employed in the Navigation need not apply.
John Fossett was also landlord of the Cherry Tree. An article in Radical Leicester in 1796 claimed that deserters from the Army could surrender at the Cherry Tree to John Fossett, ex-sergeant without fear of retribution.
The Cherry Tree brewed its own ale until the 1890s when James Eadie Brewery owned the pub prior to Bass.
Licensees taken from justices list: 1815, John Fossett. In 1829 Wm Wilton an oyster seller was selling his oysters in the Cherry Tree when an argument ensued, enraged Wilton stabbed Jon Dakin with his oyster knife, Wilton was remanded in custody. 1837 John Fossett entertained a meeting of framework knitters. 1838 A match of Quoits between Sergeant Wheatley of Cheery Tree and Willson of Arnold Notts took place with a side bet of 20 sovereigns. (a lot of money in 1830s)
A game of Quoits.
1845 John Fosset died and the Cherry Tree was put up for auction, with brewhose skittle and quoits alleys, The licence was transferred to Mrs Wheatley,
1848, Thomas Allsop became licensee, 1855, C. Wright. 1864, Mary Inman. 1864, December G H Stonehall, who left to go to the Ram, St Nicolas.
1869, Adam Taylor; Adam was charged with refusing to admit police offices into the Cherry Tree 1871, when the officers were reluctantly let in they found 6 men drinking and 4 more upstairs, they all claimed they were lodgers so with no proof otherwise the case was dismissed 1876, Elizabeth Taylor. Feb that year Elizabeth found her husband dead in Cherry Tree, aged 39 She said he was an ex soldier who served in China and recently had been complaining of headaches and sweats, A For Sale at auction notice was given, October 1877: (It seems the Cherry Tree had a large military connection.
To be sold in consequence of the property coming down, belonging to Mrs Taylor, all brewing equipment and F&F to be sold at same time.
That didn’t seem to go ahead.
1878, Arthur Watts. On entering the pub Watts advertised himself as he had taken over the recently built and furnished Cherry Tree from the Admiral Napier. 1884, George Webb. 1884, Eliza Webb. 1891, Harry Woolly. 1891, Charles Saunders. 1893, Henry Martin 1898, 1903, Thomas Wells.
1911, James Lewitt. 1916, Ellen Lewitt. 1919, James Lewit (away at war perhaps?) although in 1911, census James was at the Terminus, Campbell Street then moved to the Cherry Tree that year.
1924, George Wildbore. 1932, Edward Waring. 1939, Amy Waring.
In 1956, a court case was held when Edward Waring was found wandering around the Clock Tower in his pyjamas at 2.05am. His mother, the licensee, who was in hospital after an accident, had left him in charge of the Cherry Tree. The police escorted Edward back to the Cherry Tree where the front door was found wide open, the sum of £208/17/6 lay behind the bar, Edward claimed it had all been too much for him, and was upset at his mothers accident. The court deemed that he wasn’t a suitable person to be left in charge of a pub. Edward volunteered to attend the Towers hospital for treatment.
Circa 1958, Horace Holt. 1962, Lily Holt. 1972, Albert Wagstaff. 1974, Joseph Walden. 1975, Christopher Franklin. 1979, Roger Barber. 1983, David Thorpe. 1988, Geoffrey Biggs. 1993, Joseph Brennan.
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Photo: April 2017. Possibly the last remaining ‘old local’ left in the City Centre.
2023 Still going strong despite its isolation, popular with a cross section of customers, reminiscent of a time gone by, just how a pub should be This Jeremy Corbett photo captures perfectly the isolation of the Cherry Tree.
Bazz Deacon with LuLu the Boston Terrier and his pint of Bass described as ‘superb’ in the Cherry Tree Nov 2025. (photos by Karen Hobson)
Long may the Cheery Tree continue, unique ‘local’ with great beer.
My aunt was Lilly holt, me and my cousin were there often, I visit the pub any time I go to Leicester
Jacqueline, I delivered Bass products there in the late 1950s, the Holts must have been there then, always had a soft spot for the Cherry Tree, thanks for your comment and interest.
Cheers Barry
thank you x
I lodged there whist the multi story carpark, now gone, was being built, Lily was a lovely lady
Hi, yes she was,old style very well dressed landlady, when I knew her. I miss the old pubs, comfy red seats dart board haha
My Nan was one of the Butlers. My Dad was born in 1932, died in 1979. I felt a connection in this pub yesterday. I was drawn to the place. I still am trying to figure out why.
My Nan’s family, the Wildbore’s were in the Cherry Tree from 1924 – George was my Great Grandfather – amazing to read the history