Above photograph shows view looking at 2-26 Clipstone St. The Stag is seen as the while building near corner (64 Upper Conduit Street and 26 Clipstone Street). Info and photo credit: Chris Jinks.
A mid Victorian pub built at the same time as the area, circa 1869.
Auctioned in 1871. The “beer only pub”, owned by Samuel Squire, applied at the Brewster sessions in 1876 to sell spirits as well. He stated that the Oddfelows branch, ‘The Star of the East’ met at the Stag, and also it had accommodation for twenty horses, as the horses were not expected to partake of the spirits, Squire’s appeal was turned down. He applied again in 1879 to add wine to his portfolio, and again in 1882 applied for spirit licence as well. All were refused, although in December 1884 he was given a smoking licence in certain rooms.
The victualler in 1870, was listed as John Wilford, with his wife Mary Ann who took on the licence after John’s death in September 1877.
As well as the Oddfellows the Conservative Association would meet here and many inquests were held here too.
‘The pub closed around 1961, when Alex Barrow, the Leicester heavyweight boxer, ran a club from the premises, Its original name was I think The Blue Beat Club.
Alex Barrow had 25 professional fights as a heavy weight, fighting the top UK fighters of the day. (Photo Box Rec) Alex Barrow well known in Leicester, boxed c1959-63, I believe he later ran a club in Campbell St ‘The House of Happiness’ you soon realised why it had that name when you entered.
‘I remember visiting the Blue Beat Club club, always after the pubs had closed, (that’s why my memory is hazy) one of the first late night venues with music. It was mainly supported by Afro-Caribbeans and to us it was somewhere to go. Some American servicemen were still in Leicester and this, and the Cosmo club near the station was the venue for the black Americans. There was often trouble with the American Servicemen (they had the looks and money to attract the girls), and local townies in the city often took exception to this, The American forces had their own MPs – usually one black one white, built like brick out houses, – cruising the centre in a jeep looking out for any trouble with the servicemen.’ (Barry Lount).
An actual name of the club was ‘The Port Antonio Club’ which was raided by the police in 1966 for among other things serving and allowing drinking and gaming without a licence. I suppose attention was drawn when they advertised in the local press ‘all night dancing to the Chelsea Set’ plus DJ Chop Chop ‘Ladies half price’
(Leicester Mercury Sept 1966)
The Stag fell under the redevelopment scheme soon after.
The Stag was a Hardy Hansons (Kimberley Ales) House
what year did Alex Barrow die?
October 27 1967
What year did Leicester boxer Alex Barrow die?