The deeds have the beerhouse called the Gate, circa 1755, the Musicians Arms , circa 1789, and Coach & Horses from circa 1795 – which it stayed for the next eighty years.
William Coleman was victualler from the 1840s for the next twenty-five years. William was fined many times for serving after hours, offering many excuses (the drinkers were lodgers – or family). Once, when two women were found to be very drunk, William claimed he had only given them a half of jug of rum but had refused to leave. In 1871, Henry Burbage, of previous good character, was found guilty of stealing a brush from the Crown & Anchor. Recommended for merciful consideration, the magistrates only sentenced him to fourteen days in prison (must have been a big brush).
By 1873, it had become the Nags Head.when Henry Webb moved from the Nags Head in Highcross St, he bought the pub and was also had the licence in his name. 1885 Issac Stanton was landlord.
1886 July Wm Broughton, in Oct that year Frederick Charles Smith took over. James Kirkpatrick 1888. Francis Jelly 1889. Henry Webb again took the licence 1890 only for Francis Jelly to be appointed again two years later. Henry Grace 1896 around this time J Bells Brewery of Burton bought the pub. Followed by Thomas Salts 1902.
1899 Walter Gilbert licensee. 1905 George Keogh, Feb 1907 Ernest Mark, Sept 1907 Cornelius Bentley. 1910 Daniel Fowler. 1914 Charles Hornbuckle. 1916 Alfred Mills Poultney. 1917 Mary Elizabeth Poultney. Alfred Mills Poultney back again 1919. Alfred Burnham c1930, Arthur Hollier c1938.
As can be seen above, the Nags Head was a tiny pub. One of the rooms could only accommodate half a dozen customers.
Demolition of the Nags Head circa 1960.
The tiny classic was replaced in the 1960s by this architectural gem of the period.!!!
Jeffrey Parker was licensee c1960. Roger Haskins 1970. James O’Neil 1975. David Platt 1976. John English 1982. John Knight 1987, and Norman Cole 1989.
The late 1960s early 1970s underpasses for pedestrians was the new buzz, and one was excavated at the end of Millstone Lane.
Health and Safety eat your heart out: no barriers, wobbling out of the Nags Head to a 15ft drop – ‘whoops!’
These underpasses were not to last, becoming home to drug addicts muggings and ‘nere do wells’. Most now have been closed or filled in.
The Nags Head was owned by John Bell, of Burton Brewery in late Victorian times. Thomas Salt bought out John Bell, and Bass likewise Thomas Salt.
In a major reorganization in the 1990s, Bass disposed of a chunk of their estate to comply with monopolies and mergers commission. 1995 saw Kimberly Brewery of Nottingham purchase the Nags Head from Bass, together with others in Leicester area. Kimberly themselves embarked on a disposal and in 2003 the Nags Head was purchased by Grant Cook, landlord of the Swan & Rushes in Leicester. It was renamed the Criterion.
Remarkably, the pub had somewhat of a renaissance under private ownership, becoming one of Leicester’s major real ale outlets and winning countless awards for its beer quality. Popular with students from nearby college and locals alike.
Closed as of 2018.
Advertised as reopening September 2019 as Dhillons Pub and Pizza. that didn’t seem to happen.
Feb 2022 the owners after a full refurbishment now offered the pub for lease
2023 (photo Jeremy Corbett Collection) Still standing empty!