Photo above: Circa 1948: the Shoulder of Mutton. Later changed its name to the Falcon.
Built by Leicester Brewing & Malting, circa 1938, during the start of a new Braunstone Housing Estate. This was to house those from the slum clearance programme from inner Leicester and Wharf Street (halted for a period during the war).
Ran by Willie Thorne’s (the snooker player), parents, also the Thompsons of the Glass Piano (see Richard III), fame amongst others.
The name eventually reverted back to the Shoulder of Mutton.
Like many estate pubs, the clientele deteriorated, trouble followed and during the 1980s and 1990s the pub went through a bad time, resulting in it closure.
Arson followed, the interior being burnt out, so demolition was undertaken in 1998.
The ornate plaster work eagle, the trade mark of the Leicester Brewing and Malting Brewery and one of only two left in Leicester, was accidentally destroyed when taking the façade down (or so the builders told me). My offer of £50 was probably not enough, so it may yet turn up in someone’s extension.
Barry Lount
I’d love to see any interior photos as I used to go to its disco as a kid in the early 80s and would love to be reminded of the inside to stir some great childhood memories.