Birmingham Arms seems to have run from circa 1861 until 1905. Prior to that 105 Churchgate listed as an unnamed beerhouse. There is record of an inquest being held here on the 12th of July 1873. On the 19th of July 1875, the Birmingham Arms was advertised to let in the Leicester Daily Post.
It was possibly so named as John Heath, a landlord in the 1860s, came from Birmingham. He is listed in 1861 census at this address and more than likely had moved from the Prince of Wales across the road in Church Gate.
1870 John Heath transferred the licence to George Turner.
1874, John Ragg was listed as licensee in directories, although in a court case of 1874 George Turner claimed he had ran the Birmingham Arms for the past 4 years, he declared this when applying to take on the licence of the Fountain in Humberstone Gate, this was refused due to the ongoing case against the current landlord of the Fountain due to his harboring of prostitutes who plied their trade both in and on the pavement outside the pub. Hill st with an entrance running off the Fountain was notorious for housing prostitutes the local police claimed they knew of at least 20 such women living there so the Fountain was handy indeed.
1885 John Heath still at this address was fined 10/- for failing to vaccinate his children, so John Heath lived at the premises from c1860-1895 which perhaps indicating he was the owner.
1887, Thomas Sidwell was landlord of the Birmingham Arms.
In November 1889, John Willis was charged with assaulting his wife. It was alleged he went into the Birmingham Arms where his wife, Ann, was drinking, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her outside, where he tore off her clothes, took the money from her pockets, struck her and kicked her, knocking two teeth out. Finally, he poured a bucket if water over her. In his defence, Willis said he called in the Birmingham Arms to collect some money from his wife, and then left her there, where she stayed until closing time. When she left to come home, she fell over some railings causing the injuries. He claimed his wife was often in drink. The magistrates listened before telling Willis ‘this is the eighth time you have been before us for assaulting your wife. We suggest you give her an allowance of 4/- (20p) per week and we bound you over.’ At this time, the sentence for poaching a rabbit could be three months hard labour.
December 1890, saw the Birmingham Arms up for sale. Still occupied by Thomas Sidwell, the beerhouse together was sold together with adjoining six roomed house. This was occupied by former landlord, John Heath and with a registered slaughter house now used as a garden fronting Short Street. The lot fetched £2,050.
In 1895, William Granger was landlord, and Henry Stacey 1899. Harry Eddalls 1903, John Bannister 1904, Joseph Wakeling Smith Feb 1905, Harry Springthorpe 1905, James Phillips 1906.
Renewal refused 1909, Compensation £780.00 to the owner, £10 to the manager, Pub finally closed July 17th 1909.