BISHOPS BLAZE – MARQUIS WELLINGTON, LONDON ROAD

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1801 an Inn was built near the London Rd tollgate and named the Bishops Blaze. Named after the patron saint of wool  combers, the Bishop Blaze was built around 1801 to cater for trade at the toll gate.  In about 1813 the Inn was renamed The Marquis Wellington. (Leices Mercury 13/4/2017.).

On the 2nd of March 1810, the Leicester Journal advertised a run of eight properties to be put up for sale, situated at ‘the upper end of Granby Street.’ Amongst the eight was:

Public House the Bishops Blaze in the tenure of Mr Gray. The Bishop Blaze has large arched cellar, house, parlours, chambers four garrets and garden, Auction to take place at the house of Mr Messinger the White Lion enquiries to Mr Owston.

c1900 Thought to be Thomas Brandreth landlord at doorway, with his family and servants at window, below looking down London Rd, prior to the street rebuild.
Marquis Wellington c1900 and below extended and given a new façade in 1907.
The ‘[New’ Marquis Wellington, I was working on the University building across Vicky park in the earl 1960s, the Marquis was one of our regular drinking haunts together with the Old Horse, each lunchtime the ‘ganger man’ complete with bowler hat and long dark trench coat could be found in one of the rear rooms ‘holding court’ entered though ornate revolving doors into wood paneled rooms a particular style of Everards interiors..

Reputedly haunted, the Marquis of Wellington has undergone many refurbs in its time. Since the 1970s has re invented itself internally at frequent intervals.

The façade, possibly the most ornate and most recognised in Leicester.

Two above photos 2023 by David Stretton (Made in Leicester)

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