Circa 1954, saw a row of old cottages converted into the thatched pub known as the Shakespeare by Everards brewery.
The original farm according to Molly Storer (Leicester Born & Bred) Ashleigh Farm ran by Mr Shakespear of Shakespear McTurk & Graham Leicester Est Agents, hence the name Shakespears Arms
The transformation was complete when the pub was opened, as in the photo at the bottom.
In 1999, ghostly goings on were experienced at the Shakespeare, when a man was captured on CCTV at the bar, but no one was there. Everards sent the tape away for analysis to a ghost busting team.
The pub is now closed and trading as a funeral parlour, which is quite apt to the above ‘ghost busting’ story.
There was a fire at the Shakespeare and it was closed for some time, when was that?
HI Josephine, have now edited page with story of fire at Shakespeare from the Leicester Mercury April 2003, I would think that is the one you are referring to, thanks for your interest
I could be wrong but I’m sure there was an earlier fire because I remember we went and sat and watched them putting out and I’m sure we were kids and I would have been late teens in 2003. My parents still live just down the road on Braunstone Lane.