There is a listing of a Pyed Bull in 1805. William or John (Wesley) Gillespie, was landlord for many years until the re letting in 1843. John Wesley Gillespie seemed to have remarried 1841 to Sarah Bradley. (Sarah would die 1853 aged 85)
John Collison became victular c1843. It is possible that John Gillespies sons Edwin Frederick Gillespie youngest aged 23 who died in July 1842, and eldest son Robert T aged 45 died suddenly 1843 could these events have precipitated the sale or re letting? John Wesley Gillespie of the Highcross St died aged 69 April 1846 his obituary said he was formally Quarter Master-Sergeant in Prince Albert’s Own Leicestershire Yeomanry. ( all this above info relies on John Wesley Gillespie being the John W Gillespie that kept the Pied Bull as its not very likely that there were two J W Gillespies in Highross St at that time-but possible.
1843, advert for the letting of the Pied Bull, which states: ‘the Tap House called Pied Bull, adjoining Brewery at Messer’s Gibbon & Co. Anchor Brewery Highcross St… 29 April 1843. Eventually after many changes of named ownership became Leicester’s All Saints Brewery.
1846 Thomas Cock & Co were listed as Brewers at the Pied Bull, 1849 Thomas Cock landlord would auction his private furniture. 1848 Goodwin & Hobson then became brewers at the Pied Bull, Goodwin being one of the brewers for Thomas Cock & Co. Stephen Hobson also a brewer. Susan Gray was now licensee.
1856 a fire destroyed much of the Malting room, a claim on the insurance was turned down on a technicality (not much changes then)
A whole chapter could be written up on the history of the brewery, and is covered in other books. The Pied Bull has been documented as the Red Bull but this is likely a mistake in recording.
Oct 1868 Edward Smalley became licensee, Cock & Langmore listed as owners.
Thomas Carter 1883 Licensee,
1916 John Walter Cartledge licensee. Beatrice Ellen Cartledge 1919. Leonard Platts 1919. Mary Ann Platts 1921. Edward Cunnington 1921.
The brewery was still standing in 2008. (See photo above of the entrance and main office door). Despite an attempt to save this historic building, it was mysteriously vandalised, set alight and burnt out in 2010, finally razed to the ground 2013.
Thomas Loke was my great grandfather. His son Frank Loke died before I was born. I know little about the Loke family or the Pied Bull but what I have heard is positive. I would be interested to learn more.