The Russell Tavern stood on the corner of Upper Charles Street and no. 6 Rutland Street.
Early references include two in 1843, when in February of that year the Freemne of the parish met at the Russell. In April of the same year, the Russell made the newspapers when on the 22nd it was reported that a tooth extraction took place there whilst the patient was under hypnosis.
The Russell brewed its own beer, as in 1846, John Deacon was listed as licensee and brewer. In 1854, Sarah Deacon was charged with keeping the Russell open out of hours. Her crime was discovered at 11.55 on Sunday morning, five minutes before official opening time.
Other licensees from 1864 included: T. Allen and in 1868, William Greasey.
In 1879, the pub was auctioned.
In 1887 Claude Hampton was the brewer and around this time the change of name took place to the Queen’s Hotel.
1880, A Hampton. 1888, William Hartson. 1889, George Duxbury. 1889, William Lowe. 1890, John Copson. 1893, Charles Smith. 1895, Charles Collins. 1897, Frank Hart. 1898, Henry Oldershaw. 1899, Mary Oldershaw. 1900, Arthur Curtis. 1905, William Matts. 1906, John Maltby. 1912, John Oswin. 1914, Ronald Baker.(actual name Rainald Vincent Baker see pic below) 1916 Elsie Baker. 1919, Ronald Baker again.(Had he been away at war) Information on the Baker family has kindly been sent in by Linda Elson, tells of a boxing ring in the pub. Other members of the Ronald Bakers family including wife Elsie’s side were to become Leicester licensees , including The Uppingham, Richard 111, Marquis of Hastings, Sanvey Gate Tavern, Cherry Tree and Crown & Cushion.
Rainald Vincet Baker (left) and Elsie Baker (with fur-shoulder-wrap) were landlord and landlady of the Queens circa 1914.
Rainald is a French pronunciation, the family believes they came over to London during the Huguenots persecution. (Various spelling of his name in directories some time Ray sometime Roland all refer to Rainald Vincent Baker)
The Queen’s was purchased from Ind Coope by LBM on the 25th of April 1932.
Below the busy Charles St with Queens far left, late 1960s (Photo Steve Anderson)
The Queen’s Hotel became run down when commerce moved, road systems changed, and a once thriving street became sparse. For a while in the 1980s, it was known as just the Queen’s before closing altogether. Stephen and Phillip Hoskins of the old Leicester brewing family revived it when on the 2nd of September 1999, it reopened under a new name, the Ale Wagon.
Work in progress in re fitting the interior which had been striped out. An old LBM bar was supplied together with other fixture and fittings by Barry & Liz Lount, Liz takes a look at the re-fitted bar on the left, on the right Peter Dunn emerges from the cellar cleaning, whilst Phil Hoskins tests the hand pumps.
Often referred to as the last of its kind in Leicester, always friendly, with the Hoskins brothers on hand with an insult should you ask the wrong question – sometimes even if you don’t.
April 2nd 2020, learnt the sad news that Phil Hoskins passed away, one of life’s great characters and a true gent, many good memories, R.I.P Phil (BL).
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