The exact spot is difficult to ascertain. There are reports of a Marquis of Granby sited at the toll gate to the town circa 1750, approximately where Granville Road meets London Road. The toll was erected sometime soon after 1726.
The Marquis of Granby provided refreshments to travellers delayed by the gate. In 1820, it was described as a drovers’ inn with several large stabling blocks, gig and coal house. The inn seemed to have disappeared sometime after 1860 when it was put up for sale complete with brew house, the toll gate being removed some ten years previously.
A paddock adjoined where auctions took place in the late 18th century. It was the place to hire and erect booths for the nearby Leicester Racecourse (Victoria Park).
November 1825, Mr Spooner auctioned his ‘Innkeepers brewing vessels’ and horse trough, together with other items at the Marquis of Granby.
It was frequented by all and sundry entering the town, often crooks and thieves looking for a ‘catch’.
In March 1833, a gang of pickpockets were entertaining travellers with a game of cup and balls when they ‘filched’ a traveller of £5. A policeman was called but the gang set on him beating him dreadfully, one Ebenezer Tristam Jones was caught, the rest including two girls made their escape.
In August 1839, it was reported that ‘dissolute’ fellows were assembled on the roof of the Marquis of Granby throwing rubbish down on passers by.
Later that year, in December 1839, two horse dealers drove furiously over the weigh-bridge in their gig striking a lamp post and turning over the gig, throwing the two men off. One man was found groping his way in a ditch, the other insensible, was found upside down, feet in the air at the bottom of the ditch. They were eventually conveyed to the Marquis Granby to regain their senses and refresh them selves before continuing on their way out of town.