Named after the nearby military magazine.
Built on the old Roman part of Leicester, the earliest record so far is 1841. The Magazine was up for auction. Edward Biggs, aged thirty was recorded in that years census with wife, Mary, aged twenty eight. Edward transferred his licence to Henry Vann in March 1843, and so we can conclude the pub predates 1841. Many lodges and clubs would meet at the Magazine.
1854 Alfred Watson was licensee. Alexander Cummings 1864. Samuel Veasy 1866. John Blake 1870. Thomas Tilley 1874.Licensee Thomas Tilley got into financial difficulties during the 1880s finally having to declare himself bankrupt. Mary Stratton took over June 1884. In November 1884, Mrs Stratton applied to open a Music Hall at the rear of the Magazine, and was granted a licence on the understanding that the entrance and business was separate from that of the pub. Less than a year later – in October 1885 – licensee Joe Noble was refused a renewal licence on the Music Hall Licence. During this period Henry Sowden? owned the Magazine.
In March 1886, the lease was put up for sale with a price tag of £90 per annum, with Joe Noble in occupation. George Collins bought the business with himself as licensee.
William D Orange would purchase the business 1896, also as landlord. Thomas Blackburn became licensee 1901. (since deceased) Ethel Vivian Marie Blackburn would hold the licence until Thomas Henry Butler Houghton was appointed 1907.
In September 1907, the Magazine was offered for sale. The particulars claimed the property had recently been rebuilt. Among its licensees, the Everitt family firstly Frank c1910 (deceased) then Jane Everitt c1923, kept the pub from prior to the first war until the beginning of the second. Bass Ratcliffe & Gretton the owners.
The connection with the military continued when the Leicestershire Royal Horse Artillery opened a club at the Magazine in December 1911, to be open every day from 7pm -11pm.
Harry Oswin would enter the pub as landlord c1938. Fred Maltby c1946 and George Lyne c1956.
Photo Leicester Mercury
The late 1980s – 1990s saw the Magazine take on a different vibe when it became a rather ‘alternative’ venue, under the stewardship of ‘Haz and Dave’ – Steve Haswell and Dave Frame. Poetry, jazz, live music and alternative ‘Arts’ were encouraged. All types of ‘characters’ used ‘the Mag’. Although it had a punk feel, it was always welcoming and certainly had atmosphere.
One of a few Leicester pubs known for its Draught Bass.
The archaeologists were allowed on the site prior to the new development, where the found the remains of thirty one bodies buried by the Romans some 1700 years previously. The experts decided they were mostly Christians as they were aligned east to west to face the Holy Land.
A fitting end to another of Leicester’s lost pubs.
Remember the Magazine as one of the pubs if we did a town crawl as students back in the 70’s.
We didn’t visit the Mag as much as we did The Charlotte but it was another one who’s loss was severely felt when it closed. I remember feeling that it was a somewhat precarious building even back when it was open.
Went to the Mage regularly in 74-75 for a few pints and hands of brag. Greatly missed.