Named after the nearby Crown Hills rifle (Spinney Hill) range which opened circa 1879. The Rifle Butts post dates the range, circa 1881.
Pictured circa 1948 (John Zienteck). LBM the owners who purchased the pub from Thomas Healy and Joseph Barker in June 1901. The licence register lists Bates Son & Bishell as the original suppliers of beer to the Rifle Butts. The address then was in Evington Parish. Directory address was often given as Nottingham Road New or North Evington.
First licensee recorded on register John Popple 1886. John William Thrower Feb 1888, then Thomas Healy 1892, William Thomas Popple 1902 (deceased 1919) Sophia Francis Popple 1919 Sophia (deceased 1929), leaving an estate of over £13k. Louis Uren 1929. Percy Raymond 1932. BY 1950 Albert Hazzell was in charge.
(See Phil Browns comment below)
Finally granted a 7 day licence September 1898, after being refused the previous seven years at the Brewster Sessions. LBM Brewery sold its pubs to Ind Coope c1929.
The Rifle Butts was one of the pubs to suffer demographically when different cultures moved into the area. Up for sale 2014, closed & standing empty early 2016.
This is where I grew up with my sister Karen & my brother Paul. My Dad & Mum, Bim & Mavis Brown took over from my grandad George Brown on 4th feb 1965, the day I was born. We were there for 37 years
Many thanks for the info Phil,