CLOWES ARMS, PORTSMOUTH STREET (EX PORTLAND STREET, OFF LOUGHBOROUGH ROAD)

First known record was 1875, when Joseph Cooper transferred the licence of the Clowes Arms (named after Samuel Clowes, Leicester North MP, 1868-80) to William Draycott.  He advertised the stables and two beds (suitable for ‘gentlemen hunters’).

George Ashton moved from the Black Horse, Belgrave Gate in August 1876.  He also carried on a blacksmith’s business in Bath Street, but filed for liquidation in July 1877 with liabilities of £150.

Late Victorian picture of the Clowes Arms. Trent Valley Brewing Co. 

In the late 1870s, James Anderson passed on the licence to Thomas Spriggs of the Trent Valley Brewing Co., Lichfield.  They in turn were acquired by the Lichfield Brewing Co., one of the breweries that inadvertently sold contaminated beer in 1900 when they used contaminated brewing sugar from Bostock & Co.  This caused an epidemic of illness and some deaths, mostly in the north of England – Lichfield Brewery were one of the furthest south.

The arsenic poisoning was traced back to Bostock’s sugar, It was a major scandal 1900-1901.  Since the Clowes Arms used Lichfield Brewery Beer, so must have been affected in some way. At some point around this time Robinsons Brewery of Burton aquired the Clowes Arms.

1889 Francis Greenwood held the licence he was also listed as owner of the Clowes Arms

Portland Street became Portsmouth Road during the 1890s.

James Green became licensee 1892. The Clowes Arms licence renewal was objected to in 1895, for selling adulterated brandy when James Green was the victualler. Charles Higgs followed in 1896. John Arthur Harding 1897. Francis Greenwood held the license again 1900, but he installed managers to run the pub. Arthur Edward Crowshaw 1911. Shortly after Crowshaw took the licence the temperance society objected to the license and requested it be removed, the reasons given that betting had occurred when the previous licensee was in charge also he hadn’t lived on the premises, although the bench took that into consideration they allowed Crowshaw to renew the licence as he had not been involved.

Wm Smith 1913. John Allison? 1923 Frederick Chambers he was charged with allowing Fred Rudkin to buy and take away a bottle of port after closing time. The magistrates took a dim view fining Chambers £5 and even Rudkin was fined 10/- and a further 10/- for not having lights on his parked car. Chambers transfered the licence two weeks later.

Harry Stacey 1923 (deceased) John Harold Blaikie 1927. Eliza Blaikie 1929.

The pub was acquired by Samuel Allsopp & Sons, circa 1929. after purchasing some of Robinson Brewery shares c1920.

c 1938 William Wormleighton would take on the licence. Charles Birch c1944. William Smith 1954 and William Haycock c1957.

Portsmouth Road in the 1960s, with the Clowes Arms on left.
Circa 1993.
1970s sign
Circa 1993.

The Clowes Arms’ position off the Golden Mile inevitably meant that the pub would become Asian dominated.  A pub that served Indian food became a total Indian Restaurant called Naseeb @ the Clowes.

Photo: 2015.

2023 (Jeremy Corbett collection) at least its given recognition to its history with the name.

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