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.
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.
By 1883, it was known as Samuel Whiteman’s Refreshment House and by 1900 as Thomas Hurley’s Refreshment House. In 1920, it was the W C H Collins Refreshment House. There may have been other names.
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.
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