Photo above, circa 1953, when the Albion was more recognised by the name of Hartopp’s and sometime known as Hartopp’s Bar & Dining Rooms.
Originally opened as a beer house and wine on licence circa 1860. Henry Flowers seemed to have run or owned the business by then as he was mentioned when someone tried to pass a half-crown counterfeit money for some ale in 1861. Ann Flowers listed licensee in 1864.
In 1867, two men ordered some ale, whilst one went out the back on leaving. Henry Flowers checked in the yard to find a lump of cheese had been broken off the cheese that stood in the yard (no cold storage then, just the elements). The two men were later arrested.
Henry Flowers also opened another beerhouse and dining rooms in 1868 in Granby Street which soon folded the same year. Henry could again be found running the Albion when one Joseph Mousley dropped down dead in front of him in the Albion Vaults.
Henry Jennings became licensee,
By 1883, it was known as Samuel Whiteman’s Refreshment House 1889 another fatallity when George McGarry aged only 33 dropped dead just after ordering some food. Later that same year a lodger Arthur Perry was convicted of stealing and pawning a jacket alo stealing a cigar holder and mustard pot the property of Mr Whiteman, the bench said they was lenient fining him £3 but imprisonment with one months hard labour on default.
by 1900 known as as Thomas Hurley’s Refreshment House. John Hurley listed as the owner, Thomas Smart Hurley licensee, followed by William Applebee. In 1920, it was the W C H Collins Refreshment House. William Charles Henry Collins licensee, followed by Clara Louise Collins and back to W C H Collins again. Around this time Worthington Brewery became the owners . Leased to Hartopps of Leicester, Hartopps also ran the Victoria and Wellington in Granby St.
Later licensees were William Pateman and Charles Tipton from c 1921 until 1950 when he died age 68, Charles Tipton well known also in charge of the catering at the Granby and DeMontfort Halls during his time.
This distinctive black and white building near the clock tower which fronts what was once part of the old Angel, reverted back to the Albion Restaurant, one of a very few of its type in pre and post World War Two Leicester. As the picture shows, it was eventually known as Hartopps.
Worthington Brewery surrendered the licence on the 2nd of January 1954.
Building still there c1980s
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