Photo above: Taken circa 1950s, shows the bridge.
A tallow chandler was a candle maker.
Stood on the corner of Bowmars Lane on the North West side of Frog Island.
In May 1835, Richard Compton charged by the notorious informer, Moses Pegg, with selling beer at 9am on Good Friday. Witnesses contradicted Pegg, saying the house was closed at that time and due to the conflicting evidence the case was dismissed – much to the annoyance of Pegg. Landlord Compton asked the Mayor to award him compensation & never allow Moses Pegg to give evidence against a licensee again. The Mayor replied they would give it some consideration.
Undeterred, later on that year Pegg charged Compton with allowing dominoes to be played in the Tallow Chandlers. This time, Compton was fined 40/- for allowing gaming. Obviously the Mayor didn’t give Compton’s request much thought.
The 1835 directory names the pub as the Tallow Chandlers Arms.
In 1841, Richard Compton classed as victualler and Miller.
In 1843, the pub was called the Chandlers Arms and in the 1846 directory known as the Millstone.
1849, the pub was described as being next to Greens yard.
The North Bridge Inn as it became known as c1854 comprised of the pub, brewhouse, workshop and outbuildings.
The pub was purchased by LBM Brewery on the 31st of December 1894, from Walter Bowman.
Thrived under new ownership, but eventually closed in 2010.
North Bridge Inn
The 2010, general election saw David Bowley stand as an independent MP for Leicester West, using the North Bridge as his headquarters.
David (always to be seen in a Leicester City bobble hat), apparently paid £152,000 with money from an inheritance for the North Bridge Tavern. He claimed he slept with hundreds of women and thousands of men, when his partner Phillip died he said he slept with his ashes for two years as he couldn’t bear to be apart from him. Understandingly, Leicester folk didn’t elect him. David came last with 103 votes, 0.3% of the votes. The Pirate Party got more.
Undeterred, he stood for Mayor a year later, this time gaining 1700 votes 2% of the vote. Eccentric certainly, and he may have fitted in well in the House of Commons: the debates would have been lively.
