The Lion was recorded in 1509. John Barker was tenant of a ‘hospice’ at the sign of the Lion in the parish of St. Peter. The old sheep market (now Silver Street), was formally known as the ‘street backside of the Lion’ (Billeson’s Medieval Leicester).
According to Nichols, the hostelry was named the Lion until 1669, when it became the Kings Arms.
1669, Jane Lash (landlady).
In 1791,Watts and Peach were shown as brewers in the High Street. By 1840, it carried the name Thomas Watts and Sons, brewers, malsters, wine & spirit and hop merchants.
It became William Watts and Sons, circa 1860, and circa 1890, merged with Langmore & Bankhart, All Saints Brewery.
All early address are given as the Swinesmarket, and High Street was what is now Highcross Street.
On entering, shop stores were on the right with bar on the left which took you through a conservatory leading out to Silver Street – a rear entrance for performers and patrons from the Opera House in Silver Street.
In the late 1950s it was listed as the Kings Arms again.
Circa 1960 saw the demolition of the Georgian building. See below.
It is difficult to give any architectural merit to this typical 1960s design. Incorporating shops and entrance to what was now to be known as the Churchill.
Ind Coope’s artist impression of what the Churchill was to look like. Reality told a different story.
As a bar it was hugely successful, although its clientele were mainly under 25, with that brought the inevitable problems. Fights were regular, and the Churchill soon became quite intimidating.
Above picture’s showing Silver St entrance which was to become the main entrance, opposite is the Il Rondo the top dance and music venue during the 1960’s. For a period I believe that part of the Churchill became known as the Westminster although i am not sure of the dates. Soon a change of name was given, hoping for a new image as well. It became Winstons, keeping the Churchill family name. The character remained unaltered, so there was another rebranding: still keeping the Churchill link, it now becoming Spencers.
What was once the rear entrance now became the main entrance in Silver Street, yet still retaining its High Street entrance as well. A more inviting façade was attempted, although difficult on such a drab building.
By 2000, all connection with Churchill’s name was erased and another image was attempted – Barnabys.
Barnabys wasn’t to last long. When Winston Burrell took on the licence it once again became Winstons.
But in September 2002, Winston lost his licence after brawls and a stabbing occurred at the bar. He was also in breach of licensing laws by opening until 6am in the morning, when his licence only covered him until 2am.
The pub that had stood on the site for 400 years never recovered from rebuilding and branding in the 1960s. What was once a sedate drinking parlour attracting a wide range of customer, became a no go for the discerning punter.
Became Twenty One for a period, before becoming the Lamp Lighters.
It didn’t seem to matter what name or gloss is put on it, it could never replace the previous building’s aesthetics and ambience.
The Lamp Lighters’ owners finally gave up the ghost on trying to turn the pub around from its reputation of attracting trouble. The clientele may have been rough and ready, but the smoking ban that forced them to smoke outside didn’t help, creating disturbances and bad language in such a narrow street. In February 2016, it closed its doors to make way for an American 1950s diner style called Jumping Jacks.
I’m not one usually for theme pubs but, with all the retro features inside, this passed the muster (maybe my age). Used by families during daytime, which at one time would have never ventured inside.
Barry Lount
The attempt to transform to Jumping Jacks American style diner failed, Within a year (March 2017), it reopened as Spencers again. It is always up against it, as the architecture does it no favours. It never looks inviting – as much as the owners try, and always seems to revert to basic drinking establishment.
And again, this time photo by Peter Klauza