Strictly speaking a hotel, but as well as the public bars in Belvoir Street (dealt with under Belvoir Street), it does have bars open to the public in Granby Street.
This ornate building (photo above) instigated circa 1899 by Orson Wright, a local business man, has over the years seen many famous names in the world of politics, sport, and members of the Royal family stay at Leicester’s premier hotel.
As well as the owner Orson Wright was also listed as licensee when the licence was granted 1899. Thomas Henry Swain became licensee 1907, Thomas Charles King 1917, Thomas Henry Swain again 1919.
In 1911 Swain applied for a music licence, but only to benefit a certain class of person, the Chairman granted this licence but not to allow any music to be provided where the public was allowed, only in the Kings Hall and Empress room and gardens where this certain class would be accommodated.
March 1920 Swain was fined in his absence for not displaying a beer price list, also charging 1/6 for a bottle of beer when the price should have been 1/4, Swain was away, the barmaid wasn’t sure of the price as it was the first bottle she had served, the Daily Post headline ran “Leicester barmaids lightening calculated leads to Police Court.
Sept 1920 Swain was fined for not registering an alien notably a Swiss subject and American businessman who was a director in one of Leicesters important industries. an order that Leicester Corporation seemed to be the only town to implement.
1922 Swain was summons for the third time for using armorial bearings without having the necessary licence, he claimed his secretary had slipped up registering, Swain was fined £5 with costs.
1928 Henry George Westgate would become licensee.
It remains a major landmark in Leicester and regardless of any name change, it will always remain ‘The Grand’ to Leicester people
