A Town Arms is recorded in 1726, address not given. The next record is 1815, although the Town Arms in 1817 is given as in Southgate Street.
One ‘Mr Bellman’ was victualler of the Town Arms, Pocklington’s Walk in 1829 and John Smith in 1833. He came to an untimely end, aged thirty four, when he had an accident whilst getting out of his gig – hurting his leg badly which terminated in lock jaw.
Richard Higgingson was victualler in 1834. His brewer, William Martin, slipped whilst pumping out the ale from the copper, tipping the pump over and pouring boiling liquid on him. Heavily scalded, he was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary but succumbed to his wounds.
By 1837, Richard Higgingson found himself in financial difficulty and was declared insolvent. William Baxter was possibly the immediate successor.
The 1830s – 40s saw the emergence of ‘Operative Conservative Societies’, which tried to promote a political awareness amongst working men. Leicester had around a dozen of these societies, all of which held meetings at the Town Arms during William Baxters time.
In 1840 Edward Castings was given twelve months hard labour for trying to take liberties with Mary Robinson after drinking in the Town Arms. On being rebuffed he knocked her down and violently assaulted her.
The Town Arms had a bowling green and also was one of the main carrier stations for many Leicestershire villages.
John Sheffield took on the Town Arms in October 1843 and was there for over thirty years until his retirement in 1874. He put the pub up for sale, together with 2 shops at the rear but fronting Market Street.
An amusing after hours case involved landlady, Matilda Parkin – who was there 1870s – 1880s. The police entered and found the piano bring played. Matilda’s defence was that the piano seemed out of tune and she had hired a man to retune it. Another man had been invited to help and they had been paid in ale. This didn’t wash with the bench and she was fined £1.
The Town Arms was up for sale in 1900 advertised as one of the few free houses in Leicester.
The pub flourished during the 1950s and 1960s. Being opposite the technical college, it attracted a wide range of patrons, being known for its folk scene and cross section of teachers and pupils. One of the friendliest pubs in town, its old fashioned oak panelled corridor and leaded glass gave a warm feeling as you entered, and its multiple rooms created a bustling atmosphere or an oasis of calm – whichever was required. The Register office also stood nearby in Pocklington’s Walk, so wedding guests would congregate in the Town Arms before and after the ceremony.
1961 Leicester was the first city outside of London to have traffic wardens, here outside the Town Arms a warden directs the way (Story of Leicester)
photo credit Chris Pyrah
The late 1980s – 1990s saw the destruction of the interior. The vacating of the college for the building of the new law courts had changed the ambiance of the area. Some of the panelling can now be found in the Dog and Gun, Syston, much of the interior architecture was skipped. A sad loss.
The destruction was complete when it reopened in 1999. Its small rooms were knocked through as Bar Zar.
The obliteration of one of Leicester’s classic pub interior for a pseudo continental style, certainly didn’t work for me and neither did it for Leicester drinkers as within about a year it tried to revert back calling it the New Town Arms, No doubt much money and effort went into the Bar Zar style, but for me it was just in the wrong place and wrong building.
Barry Lount
The New Town Arms survived for a decade before another revamp.
Pirates Bar opened November 2011, another theme that lasted a short period.
Circa 2014, Duffys Bar moved from no 8 Pocklington’s Walk to the old Town Arms building. Duffys Bar at least created a traditional pub atmosphere, giving it a new lease of life.
At least it looks like a pub again. It also has its vibe back, but we old Leicester still mourn the loss of the the Old Town Arms.
Barry Lount
Duffys Bar is still very much open for business as of writing.
Drank in the Town Arms regularly when working on millstone Lane, great pub and sorely missed.