Some early recordings of the Derby Arms: in 1856 Joseph Johnson applied for a licence for the Derby Arms. In 1862, a newspaper report of stolen goods a mackintosh and shawl, from the Derby Arms. Johnson still recorded as licensee.
In August 1864, the Derby Arms renewed its licence, William Bray victuallar.
By 1866, William Bray was listed as running the Rutland and Derby Arms. The reason for the name change seems to be on the demise and demolition of the Rutland Arms in Horsefair St 1865, the two names were joined together. This often happened if an owner or landlord moved pubs, they would take their original pubs name with them, add or change to their current one, so as to take their trade with them.
1884 saw a strange case against landlord, William Bishop, for allowing gaming on his premises. The so called gaming occurred in the skittle alley, where customers were skittling, the loser buying the beer. A grocer, Alf Adkinson, who had been in the Rutland and Derby for about three hours, apparently lost his pipe in the alley, for which he was aggrieved. He decided to call in at the police station where he told the police he had witnessed the men playing skittles for beer and sixpence had been paid by the loser to the landlord when the beer was bought in. PC Jilks went along to the alley where he saw men playing for beer.
Landlord Bishop was taken to court for allowing gaming on his premises, The outcome was that Bishop was forced to close the alley for good. Due to his previously unblemished record, the chairman decided to only fine William Bishop £1, including costs.
Grocer Adkinson was probably not so popular in the area after that.
Tucked away in this predominantly Georgian street, the Rutland & Derby has by and large escaped the trials and tribulations of many others. Everards transformed and extended the pub in the early 2000s, after a somewhat strange period for this quaint pub. The ground floors were obliterated, to turn it more upmarket in its range of beers and food. It certainly seems to have worked, although losing some of its tradition, it has gained awards and popularity as a safe haven not far from the hustle and bustle of the Market.
Bucking the trend, Whilst many are struggling or closing The Rutland & Derby seems to be still going strong in 2023, a busy well run pub (photo Jeremy Corbett collection)
I worked behind the bar in the R and D in the 1970s. It was certainly a thriving pub then, with a mostly youthful clientele. I believe the landlords were named Don and Betty.
Ron & Betty, I think Ron had done a bit of Rally driving in his time and I was told Betty was once a trapeze artist, quite eccentric but really nice people.