Photo above: 1896 photo commemorating the Prince of Wales’ (future Edward VII) visit to Leicester.
The Fox & Goose had its own brewery and was the headquarters of carriers and carts from east Leicestershire villages. James Ward the victular in 1810. From c1820 known as the Fox, James Davis licensee. c1830 George Phillips, 1840 William Wheat, 1845 John Slawson, 1854 John Cooke c1860 William Cooke, he advertised as William Cooke & Co Brewers and Wine & Spirit Merchants. By 1873 they had moved the company to Birmingham
1870 Charles Brown. Mary Peet registered as owner. Charles Brown would cease brewing and sell off the brewing equipment in 1872. Dymock Martin 1876 is licensee. Robert Taylor 1877, Robert would die of consumption after he left the Fox aged only 35, William Scotney 1881, John Porter Thomas,having moved from the Champion in 1888, John Clark 1895 by this time c1872 William Langmore Brewer of Highcross St had purchased the property so brewing ceased at the pub. Later Langmore & Bankhart, eventually through trustees to All Saints Brewery ware the official owners.
1907 Harry Waterfield victular, Walter Leonard Brown 1911, Henry Westerman 1912 deceased), Annie Westerman 1921, William Robert Hinks 1924. Prior the 1920s the trustees of All Saints Brewery would lease the Fox to Ind Coope Brewery Burton on Trent.
A more every-day view of the Fox, circa 1920s. As the brewery had been sold off in 1872. The Fox was a major ‘carriers’ Inn and auction house.
Two photos of Fox from opposite perspective c1920-30 bottom on far right.(from Terry Jones Collection L.P&P)
1934, saw the largest property deal in the heart of the city – £5000,000 – when a scheme was undertaken to purchase the Fox and other properties in order to build a new department store, Lewis’s. The Fox closed the following year for the iconic Lewis’s (its tower still remains today).
All that remains to remind us of the old coaching Inn is Fox Lane. (ex Fox & Goose Lane)
A nice story to end the Fox report. in the 1920s under William Hinks time he made collections for St Dunstans charity, but forwarded it through Peter the Dog, here below is the reply from St Dunstons to Peter (British newspaper archive))
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