Standing at no. 24 Granby Street (North East), the Jolly Miller was an ancient, small thatched inn, described in 1751 as a ‘gin shop.’ (LRO 647-94)
In Leicestershire & Rutland Notes and Queries there is a perfect description of the Jolly Miller:
The Jolly Miller stood on the site where afterwards stood the Falcon, but this ceased to be a public house and gin shop in consequences of ‘irregularities.’ The Jolly Miller was very low thatched with lead encased windows, three below and three above, it stood seven or eight yards back from the causeway and three or four feet lower, approached by steps down with posts and rails. In front were four large trees, the sign was placed in one of those trees, bearing colours of a very jolly man in a millers attire with a rubicund face holding a foaming quart in one hand and a long pine in the other.
c 1815 Edward Daniel listed as licensee, by 1820 Wm Standley or Stanley was victular The Jolly Miller then became the Falcon, in 1846 William Standley was still listed as licensee, by 1850 John Willis Goodwin. he a brewer had connections to the High Cross Brewery (All Saints) Goodwin & Hobson, John Goodwin died 1863. Dec 1871 The Falcon lost its licence when the bench decided not to renew after the then tenant Mrs Wakefield had been convicted of licensing irregularities Mr Goodwin appealed on behalf of Cock & Langmore to re instate the licence as he intended to conduct the house as a hotel, this was refused. It eventually did renew later. Confusion surrounds the many company’s evolving around the Highcross st brewery. Thomas Cock involved in more than one including Moon & Cock who were to lease the Falcon in 1869 from owner Robert Birkley Forester (again related to the All Saints)
Frederick Graves Moon, now a partner in the lease of the Falcon, was not to enjoy the fruits of tenancy for long as in Oct 1871 he was murdered by Flora Davy (also known as Mrs Frances Canning, Flora Newington, Flora Canning, Madame de Morne and her real name Hannah Newington) she had also been declared bankrupt and found guilty of robbery, the ladys background should have been a warning to Frederick Moon at 41 still a bachelor, but he seemed to become infatuated by Flora, with whom he had a volatile relationship Flora, an alcoholic, addicted to stimulants, also had a penchant for brandy and champagne. Frederick Moon would also provide Flora with what was then vast amounts of money, this came to an end when Frederick Moon was found with a seven inch kitchen knife in in chest.
On the day of the stabbing Flora as the newspaper reported she was found in good spirits, had champagne and brandy for lunch, there was also Burgundy on the table.
At the trial the Coroner summed up that three Suppositions to be put before the Jury.
1 That Fredeick Moon had committed suicide.
2 That he had fallen on the knife by accident.
5 That she had in a fit of passion, plunged the knife into him.
It took the Jury only 30 mins to deliver the verdict ‘Willful murder by person known as Flora Davy.
She was sentenced to 8 years, where she spent 4 years in the infirmary wing of the prison.
Thomas Cock who held the licence of the Falcon although still the tenant would transfer the licence to James and Mary Wakefirld two months after the murder. Frederick Moon had died without a will so the brewing was eventually passed to his nephew Wm Langmore so the company became Cock & Langmore with members of the Moon family as directors.
The Falcon was a den of iniquity and a venue for thieves and various ne’er-do-wells. In 1860, an unsuspecting customer had his gold watch stolen. In August 1873, the Falcon finally had its licence refused as ‘this house is a habitual resort of prostitutes and prostitution’. Officially the lease was still held by Moon, Cock & Co, the lease contained conditions that the Falcon to be used for the purpose as a tavern and nothing else, at the lease end 1879 owner Robert Birkley Forester sued Moon & Cock for being in breach and for loss of earnings he was awarded £300
The Falcon was auctioned in January 1879, listing modern beer engines, brass taps, twelve chairs and two superior clocks, mahogany shelving and plate glass back.
In September 1879, the Falcon re-applied for licence as a six day alehouse at the Brewster Sessions, but the magistrates were having none of it and the application was declined.
After the refusal of the Falcon’s attempt at regaining its licence it took another seventy five years before a liquor licence was granted on the site.
In 1901, the renowned architect Arthur Wakerley, built what is today the Grade II listed Turkey Café on its site. It stands as an outstanding architectural structure for Leicester’s centre.
The stone work came from the London based Doulton’s who had also worked on the frontage of Knightsbridge store of Harrods.
It was not until 1955, that the Turkey Café was to obtain a licence to sell alcohol, when it was granted the removal of the licence from Winn’s Oriental Hall in the market place. This approval was laced with conditions, such as selling alcohol on certain afternoons at tea dances and restrictions on hours.
During the 1970s the Turkey Café closed and became a retail shop.
In 1999, saw the restoration of the building to selling food and drink when this stylish edifice became open to the public once more as the Turkey Café.
For a period after 2002, it was called Method, although people still knew it as the Turkey Café.
Not sure how long this was open for as it had more of a night club feel.
It later closed for a period before a new venture and name. 1901
1901 is still very much open for business as of writing.
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