1826, Mrs. Garland, the owner of the original Spread Eagle, auctioned off six newly built tenements in Charles Street. In 1830, William Toon was victualler, followed by Mr. Coltman by 1835.
1840, James Grooby, the landlord, was taken to court for assaulting Ed Pullen. Grooby told the court he felt justified as Pullen was having an affair with Mrs. Grooby, but was fined 10/-. Mr Powdrill soon followed as victualler and Thomas Clarke in 1846.
c 1852 The Brewery at the rear was rebuilt.
Licensing records show Everards as owners 1864 and Edward Blood as licensee. in Dec 1865 Mr Blood had to apply to the magistrates for permission to carry on his business of Tripe boiling at the Spread Eagle.
John Fryatt 1870 followed by Mary Fryatt 1882 were licensees, James Green 1889. John Pollard 1892 was also listed as owner. Charles Spicer landlord 1894, Pollards still the owner. 1896 John Thomas Pollard would again hold the licence briefly as did Ellen Pollard until Wm Thos Jones took over at the end of that year.
1889 the brewing ceased the pub eventually to be bought by Robinsons Brewery of Burton who in turn were acquired by Ind Coope.
1906 Frederick Coates became landlord briefly Wm Thomas Jones returned for a second time as licensee. Ernest Bell came in 1928, meaning Wm Jones had run the Spread for over 30 years. Francis Charter would become licensee c1931 at the onset of the rebuild c1930 as part of the road widening.
For many years a thriving pub opposite the Northampton Street Bus Station, in the 1950s and early 1960s, it was a major stopping off point before catching the bus home.
After the demise of the bus station the ‘Spread’ struggled on for the next twenty years, never quite reaching its former glory. Many landlord changes occurred.
The ‘Spread’ closed for a period around 2001, but opened later that year calling itself Charlies.
On its last legs by July 2001, within eighteen months the ‘Spread’ was to close, remaining boarded up until 2005 – saw the start of the demolition of this once classic pub.
December 2005, the interior ripped out, the leaded windows have gone.
The tower scaffold was erected around the Spread Eagle sign when work on its demolition was stopped as planning consent had yet to be given. The windows were bricked up and the building was offered to let. Only a hand full of small traditional pubs are now left in Leicester centre, as its obsession with café bars and cocktail bars continues unabated.
The Spread Eagle’s final demise came during the last week of September, 2006, when as this Leicester Mercury report shows it was demolished.
Not a trace of the Spread Eagle left (Jeremy Corbett collection)
Spread Eagle: Building Plans History to 1931:
Plan 1852/372 Rebuilding brewhouse and offices at rear of Spread Eagle Inn, for Mr Miller. Approved November 1852.
Plan 1889/20214 Alterations for Mr J Greenwood. The brewhouse was converted to a kitchen and stable. Approved December 1889.
Plan 1908/14033 Alterations and extension to rear, for Robinsons Brewery Co, Burton-on-Trent. Architect Thomas P Brown. Approved February 1908.
Plan 1929/37032 Rebuilding of the Spread Eagle Hotel, for Robinsons Brewery Ltd. Thomas Jenkins, Architect. Approved July 1929.
Plan 1930/38765 Two pavement lights, Church Street, for Robinsons Brewery. Approved May 1930.
Plan 1930/39801 Sign lantern for Messrs Ind Coope. Approved November 1930.
Plan 1931/40127 Sign lantern for Ind Coope Ltd. Approved January 1931.
Plan 1931/40350 New urinal in yard, for Ind Coope & Co Ltd. Approved March 1931.
Thanks for the additional information above which was supplied by Steve Peck, editor of the Brewery History Society Wiki.
My grandfather, Walter Lyner, was the landlord of “The Spread” during the latter part of World War II. He had previously been a detective sargeant at the neighbouring Charles Street police station, until his retirement. My mother also helped out in the pub as a barmaid whilst my father was serving in the Royal Marines.
Sadie, interesting comment a good story we could include if you like? any photographs of your grandfather at the pub or in uniform or indeed any stories, ill bet he had a few, didn’t move far from the police station then did he. This is just the feedback we want, all adds to the social history, look forward to your reply.
Thanks Barry
Ps Any relation to Len Lyner who kept a couple of pubs around Leicester.
Sorry for the late reply, your message went into the junk mail! My grandfather was indeed related to Len Lyner. They were cousins and, when Grandad got the Spread Eagle, it was Len who showed him how to run a pub.
My mum said that the amount of whisky they received every month during the war was very small, and they would run out almost immediately. At the Spread, they didn’t buy whisky on the black market because Grandad was an ex-policeman and the pub was so close to the police station! But they knew a couple of Leicester landlords who would go up to London regularly and come back with a van full of illicit whisky. They made a fortune, particularly selling to the American servicemen who would buy it at inflated prices. Probably best not to name those pubs but their landlords did very, very well out of the war.
Great info Sadie now we know why certain pubs in Leicester were busy with American GIs during the war,I didn’t think it was the warm beer, thanks again.
Regards Barry
We grew up i the spred from 84-89 my parents were the landlords Stu & Kate parry …
What a colorful childhood 🙌