Earliest recording known of the pub is in 1853 when Josephs Moore and Waterfield advertised that they were starting their own building business, ‘all enquiries to the George & Dragon, Peel Street.’
In 1855, a stocking maker’s shop at rear of the George & Dragon was broken into and framework knitting equipment stolen.
1857 advert: ‘All that tenement now used as a beerhouse known by the sign of the George & Dragon Peel Street for sale containing brewhouse and FWK shops and small hosiery warehouse. Henry Heathcote in occupation.’
A couple of licensees were charged with being in breach of the licensing laws and subsequently fined – William Newton in 1871, and George Taylor in 1872.
In June 1872, James Rayson, a drayman aged sixty, who was lodging at the beer house, fell down the stairs the worse for drink landing on his head. On being lifted up he was in an insensible state and quickly died. The landlord at the inquest said Rayson was of very unsteady habits.
In 1876, the new Midland Auction Mart was opened by Tarratts in Market Street, and after George Taylor’s death that year, the George and Dragon was the first property to go under the hammer in this ornate building (still standing). Together with framework knitters’ shops, the whole was bought by William Olphin of the Generous Briton, Wharf St, for £1010 – quite an increase on the £420 paid twenty years before.
In 1878, William Olphin transferred the licence to Thomas Lowe. Olphin returned to Wharf Street – to the George III.
Other victuallers included John Moore, circa 1867. Thomas Stanger, circa 1869. Harris Rylott, circa 1880. John Bull, circa 1892. Clara Ludlam, circa 1892. John Rowley, circa 1895, and Samuel Pratt c 1902.
The George & Dragon (owned by Beeston Brewery), was closed circa 1910 under the compensation scheme. Photo above, circa 1970, shows the building still standing amongst the surrounding demolition – but only just.