This picture was taken circa 1970. The lettering can still be faintly seen over the door, although the beerhouse closed under the Compensation Act on April 1913.
King William IV was built circa 1830, being named after the monarch reigning at the time.
Licensees included c1840 Edward Checkland, 1848 Mary Checkland, 1850 Edward Checkland married Jane Bates, 1851 Edward now lodging at the house of Mrs Elizabeth Bates declared out of business from the King William 1V and insolvent the licence was transferred to James Hicking that year, James Hickling died 1855. next licensee was 1855 Isaac Tarry moved from the Square and Compass in Colton St, Isaac Tarry and family were later to run the Dover Castle pub 1862 John or Job Wood. 1865 Jobs wife Eliza died aged 35,
In July 1869, William Henry Fox late of the King William IV applied for bankruptcy with liabilities of £450 William Chamberlain of Leicester Trade protection was appointed trustee of the property Later on that year, John William who probably had taken over, had it transferred to George or John (Job) Wood.?
The pub was mentioned in 1875 when Job Wood (sic?) was charged as permitting gambling take place on the premises. This was identified as five games of skittles with the proposed winnings of 5/- or ½ a gallon of beer (Leicester Daily Post 13 April 1875). Later that year Job Wood transferred the licence to John Thomas Hornby then again to William Henry Fox
1882 Mrs Bailey, 1886 Henry Cranfield licensee, 1888 Edwin or Edward Wortley, 1892 Alfred Foxon, 1895 William Cooper, 1900 William Davenport, 1903 Thomas Sedgley (deceased) 1909 William Francis Tappin. William was a keen horse man one time he was groom and trainer of hunters.
Renewal refused 1913, Compensation paid £1020-12, £840-12 to owner Lessee £35, and tenant £146. to brewery and