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 1880, it had become the Nags Head.
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.!!!
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!