Thomas Cook, opened by Everards in July 1973.
Opened with a fanfare by Mr Everard himself and named after Leicester’s Thomas Cook, the founder of the major travel company. One of the rooms had dedicated murals of his early world tours. Lauded as Everards, ‘newest friendly inn’, some of the pictorial signage depicting Thomas Cooks early travel can be seen above the entrance.
Typical 1970s architect’s view of what a pub should look like, and reminiscent of the houses build of that era. Some of the signage is visible to the right.
Less than thirty years later, the pub closed (2002). Declining trade, after a run of over a dozen landlords within a couple of years. Everards – ever the company to spot trends – saw redevelopment the way forward and had plans for new housing on the site.
On Christmas Day 2002, arsonists set fire to the Thomas Cook, leaving the shell much intact but gutting much of the interior. This made development more attractive.
In April 2003, a developer purchased the property from Everards Brewery, gaining outline planning for 19 houses on the site.
