This was used for civil and other functions, not until the early 1970’s was the building used as a drinking establishment.
The ground floor has gone through many guises, most notably post war as Holmes Café. This is fondly remembered by ‘old’ Leicester folk as offering meat, veg, mash and gravy followed by a steam pudding and custard – all for a ‘couple of bob.’
By the early 1970s the Corn Exchange housed a Bier Keller, a concept massively popular with the younger set. It eventually ran its course, a couple of changes followed of no particular brand to become the Market Tavern or Market Ale House. That closed circa 1993.
(Below) Bier Kellar with German theme nights, the basement bar at the corn exchange, (photo from Made in Leicester), belies the raucous events that went on.
Chef & Brewer would run it for a period. It became a stop-start bar, open for a while then closed until a new operator came in. 1998, JD Wetherspoons would relaunch the Corn Exchange as a Lloyds No. 1 Bar.
Throughout all these changes of branding the building and bars were mainly known as ‘the Corn Exchange.’
Granddaughter Libby-Rose with grandson Luke in the Corn Exchange July 2023.
This was a great Friday night venue in early seventies.the lager came in 500 or litre bottles, it was very expensive it was either £1 or £2 a bottle.3 or 4 of these and you came out scrapping.
It was in the cellar and we used to swing on the big pipes in the ceiling, possibly sewer pipes whilst dancing on the table.
The umpah band played music man and we all joined in, it was a brilliant night out but expensive.
Yes a great night out if I remember correctly Thursdays was the fella on the accordion! The thing that I can’t fathom now is, where are the stairs as I’m sure you went inside the main pub and the stairs were on the right?