Photo above: Circa 1950s.
At the Brewster Sessions in August 1895, an application was made for a licence, as there were 1500 occupants living locally and a nearby CO-OP shoe workers factory.
The Bench would not sanction plans for any house which was evidently intended to be a mere drinking establishment. Plans were to be re- submitted.
It was then claimed that a train station and goods wharf, was to open nearby and a licence would be transferred from the Coachmakers Arms. Church Gate.
That swung it, and a licence was granted. 1897 A conveyance was drawn between LiIchfield Brewery Co, Orson Wright (landowner) and the Leicester Hotels Co Ltd, What role Lichfield Brewery played is unclear. other than transferring the Coachmakers licence.
Eliza Baxter the first landlady 3rd June 1896. She had been Coachmakers landlady and came with the licence transfer. Orson Wright held the licence 30th June, same year.
George Harry Lawrence listed as landlord 1907 (died 1914 aged 68 ex Yeomanry for 40 years trumpeter to the Judge of Aussies, and a well known musician)) Albert John Lawrence took over licence, Louisa (looks like) Lawrence 1916 and Albert Peter John Lawrence 1920.
George Bailey 1926.George Spooner c1939. James Jackson c1943. John Bindley c 1952
100 years later and the train Station still hadn’t materialised.
It was closed in 2011 and turned into flats. For once, this was sympathetically done, retaining the ornate relief work and much of the exterior.
