ECLIPSE, EASTGATES

c1900 Eclipse next to Public Benefit Boot Co and below c1890s as the licencee Fred Lees would keep the Eclipse between c1892-1904 -The Victorians certainly liked to splash the advertising.

The Eclipse named after the legendary race horse owned by Duke of Cumberland, claimed to be sold for 22.000 guineas in the late 100’s. The Eclipse pub held quite a reputation after the second war, in 1946 the then landlord was found guilty on 5 cases of adding water to to the beer (he wisely left soon after.

The Sheldon family seemed to be the first occupants during the 1860’s, many landlords followed. One Fred Lees champion cyclist (penny Farthing) became licensee of the Eclipse after a time at the Dolphin during the 1890’s. Fred died at the Eclipse 1901, his wife had died sometime earlier. Fred apparently took her demise badly, his health suffering as a result he eventually passed in the April.

The clientele, usually a hard bunch (women as well as men, the clock tower ladies selling their services used the Eclipse).  This was a place for the stranger to mind his Ps and Qs. One of my first experiences in the Eclipse was as a teenager I walk in ordered a pint of mild, by the time I had paid for the drink a rough looking guy next to me had drank it.  He growled and I left, discretion being the best part of valour, minus money and drink.

Barry Lount

Steve Scotney writes that he lived at the Eclipse c1953-58 with his, grandparents Charlie & Elsie Hague who were the licensees, before moving on to the Diamond Jubilee in Belgrave Gate, then to the British Arms Asylum St.

Eclipse closed early 1980’s this 1993 pic shows building still standing a reminder to many of one of Leicester’s most notorious pubs, often met with a knowing wink or nod to those drinkers of the 50’s-70’s, its reputation often preceding it.

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