Photo above: The Red Lion in 1970 and , below 1958. An Ind Coop pub for many years until purchased by Burtonwood in 1994. It closed not long after Wetherspoons had opened next door.
The Red Lion was depicted in a 17th century H. R. Steer’s painting of Highcross Street. The Highcross Market monument seen above. It once stood at the top of Highcross Street and the Red Lion can be seen on the left of it. The circular structure had eight pillars with domed roof and was sold off in sections in 1773. Strangely, one pillar remained until 1836, and that is the one now in Cheapside. All that is left is a cross in the road outside part of the Wetherspoon’s in Highcross Street.
There was a Red Lion recorded in the area 1559, although it may not refer to this particular one. The Horse & Trumpet stood approximately on this spot as well, and it is possible that Steer took some licence as it was painted a couple of hundred years after the subject matter.
The Red Lion is difficult to research as it was such a popular pub name, the earliest period so far is the 1820’s, so did it replace the earlier Horse & Trumpet ? as it stands very close to the spot.
1828 Edward Baily (sometime recorded as Charles Bayley) the landlord of the Red Lion was charged with selling ale in a jug not of the standard measure. The charge was brought forward by the notorious informer Thomas Peberdy, very rarely a week went by without Peberdy informing on some tradesmen, he stood to gain as if the case was proved he would be paid by the court out of the expenses. On this case the bench dismissed his charge, no doubt aware of the fragility of his evidence. Peberdy claimed his distress to the court at not being believed. (more on Perberdy see the Jolly Bachus Highcross St)
By 1835 Samuel Blackwell was victular, followed by R & Eliz Watts until the 1850’s. J H Varnam c1855, R Freeman c1860-70.
Feb 1870 Leices Chronicle reported an archaeological dig was taking place on the site of the now taken down Red Lion, a roman unjent was unearthed together with a samion ware bowl. The following year the Red Lion was up for auction, 7 beds brewhouse and stables in the occupation of John Cooper, either the Red Lion had been rebuilt or the earlier report was inaccurate.
Oct 1871 a licence change from James Ragg to George Collis. Wm Deacon c1875. A period of calm followed as Henry Preston occupied the pub from the late 1870’s until the 1890’s, in 1885 Preston who had the use a piano in the Red Lion applied to allow singing as well–This was refused !!
Sept 1900 the fire brigade was called when a fire started in a bedroom the brigade with there hydrant soon extinguished the blaze.
Some other licensees of the Red lion were Albert Toone c1906, Albert Hopewell c1920, John Brown c1936 and Grace Liggins c1950.
