Built on the site of the Lion & Dolphin, The facade is listed as circa 1870s, although the rear was demolished in the 1980s. Thomas Smith seemed to be the first landlord, formally of the Lion & Dolphin, 1864 Stephen Becham, George Hillery 1873, Henry Flude and family moved in 1875 Flude was also listed as owner. Kate Rose Williams 1918, Frederick Pryce 1920. and Stanley Mears 1924. The owners register lists Henry Flude selling to Sir Arthur Wheeler prior to Everards who purchased the property in 1923. Not sure what part Wheeler who had his stockbroking firm in Leicester played he certainly hosted lavish dinners at the Royal Hotel, he was later charged with fraud and bankruptcy his firm had liabilities of over one million and he was jailed for a year.
Below same scene, larger scale.
In 1920, Everards purchased the wine & spirit merchants John Sarson and son – founded in 1796 with its headquarters in Hotel Steet. When Everards bought the Royal Hotel in 1923, they moved John Sarsons to the adjoining building, which can be seen in the above photograph.
