The Danett family owned the area from the 15th century upon which stood Danett’s Hall. This was owned by the Watts family during the 17th century (hence Watts Causeway, later King Richards Road), and subsequently bought by Leicester MP, Dr Joseph Noble’s family – that’s why it became Noble Street.
In 1862, the mansion was sold and demolished. Over the next few years the owners, the Leicester Freehold Land Society, sold off portions of the land for development.
James Dimmock was recorded as licensee circa 1864, followed by James Sandon Strickland. He fell foul of the law in April 1869 for serving after hours – his lame excuse was that he didn’t know the time. By October, that year Strickland had left the Danett and Job Jackson took over.
Four months later, George Strong was in place as licensee. Strong himself was hauled before the court for a similar offence to Strickland, when police found people going in the back door after hours. Strong claimed as the rear was a communal yard he couldn’t control who was about. One witness claimed he was only in the Danett helping Mrs Strong clean as George was in bed ill with a dog bite. The magistrates clearly took a dim view and fined George £5, quite a lot for that offence.
By circa 1873, Job Jackson’s daughter, Sarah, was to take on the licence, living together with husband John and two daughters. John died leaving widow Sarah to run the pub.
Sarah remarried to James Sparkes, but was again was left a widow when James Sparkes died. One of her daughters, Lizzie Coleman, helped her mum run the Danett.
Sarah died aged 72 in 1907 and Lizzie took over with son, Herbert, as her assistant. Lizzie’s husband, Fred, died 1897 and Lizzie then remarried to John Glover. Lizzie would run the Danett until her death aged 75 in 1934, the family giving over 60 years service to the Danett. Not until 1948 did the Danett gain its full licence from a beer house.
Looking down Noble St from the Danett, 1973.
