The original address was on the corner of Laurel Road and Bartholomew Street. This became Conifer Close on the creation of splitting Laurel Road and creating a ‘no through road’ access.
In 1874, plans were submitted to the Brewster Sessions by Thomas Salt Brewery. Thomas Salt was taken over by Bass, Ratcliffe & Gretton. The Highfields Hotel became a Mitchells & Butlers House. Alterations took place in 1930 and 1931.
Thomas Goddard was granted a licence 1881,New licensing arrangements in 1884, allowed the Highfields Hotel to permit smoking in semi private rooms.
Unplanned alterations occurred in January 1897, when a fire destroyed the coach house and stables, as well as the rooms above (which were run as a boot and shoe shop). The roof was totally destroyed and the floor of the shoe shop fell through the coach house, destroying everything.
Many inquests were held here. In November 1888, there was a fatal accident when James Marlow whilst travelling on his way from Leicester Market on his wagon. He was sitting on a box on the footboard when in Skipworth Street, the box slipped between the shaft and wagon, taking Marlow with it. This startled the horse, which reared, kicking Marlow violently in the head. A Doctor was called and Marlow was removed to the Highfields Hotel, but he was found to beyond medical help.
c1892 Richard Woolerton licensee, 1895 Alfred Weight, 1902 John Bedson, John Bedson a well known local sportsman also a director of the licensed victulars, in his time he also ran the White Swan, the Horse Repository, and Prince Regent.
1911 William Buckle in Jan 1913 Edward Tricks 71 an accountant a customer in the Highfields Hotel entered and complained of indigestion asking landlord Buckle for a whiskey, he sat down but soon slumped to the floor where he soon died. (natural causes)
1920 Arthur Knapp, 1927 Arthur Ackroyd,
1930 Herbert Wreford landlord was indeed a character, ex Newport Rugby full back on one occasion against Leicester Tigers Wreford wearing his Newport kit came on smoking a cigarette wearing spectacles, he had a distinguished Rugby career before being active with the Tigers
Jan 1939 marriage of landlord Herbert Wrefords daughter to Idris Roderick who was to become landlord of the Highfields Hotel.
1944 Idris Roderick, who had been a 2nd Lieutenant in the 44th Anti Aircraft Battalion
1947 Harry Tichett, 1954 George Dalby, 1957 James Watson
Highfields Hotel in the late 1980s, now listed in Conifer Close. The Highfields area, built of mid-late Victorian Villas was a well to do area in its day. After World War II, it became populated by many immigrants, starting with those from the West Indies, followed by Asian communities of all religions.
The Highfields Hotel was frequented by the West Indian community but sadly became known as used by drug pushers, culminating in a murder by shooting. This resulted in its closure in 1990.
I was born in Laurel road in 1943. My Dad used the Highfields pub. (hotel) He would take me across for me to sit outside on the wall with bag of crisps and vimto. Later year I to was a regular, meeting mates for after work drink. I left the area many years ago, before the decline