PIED BULL, 105 HIGHCROSS STREET

There is a listing of a Pyed Bull in 1805.  William or John Gillespie seemed to have been landlord for many years until the re letting in 1843.

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 ownership became Leicester’s All Saints Brewery.

1846 Thomas Cock & Co were listed as Brewers at the Pied Bull, 1849 Thomas Cock 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.

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.

1880s drawing of the Pied Bull next to All Saints Church.
Thomas Loke landlord c1899-1916, Thomas is in the light coloured jacket, photo credit (Wilf Loke, Thomas ‘s grandson)
The Pied Bull closed in 1924, but the brewery continued.
Pied Bull front left of entrance, showing the size of All Saints Brewery.
1990s only rear of Pied Bull remains

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.

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