WILLOW BRIDGE INN, 69 WILLOW BRIDGE STREET

Stood on the corner Willow Bridge Street and Syston Street. Photo above, LCC circa 1960.

In August 1867, Edward Hextall applied for a licence which was refused.  A swift reapplication was apparently successful, as evidenced by a court case reported in the local press in March 1868:

                  ‘Tables turned on Licensee

Edward Hextall charged John Neal with D & D, refusing to quit the Willow Bridge Inn, using abusive language about Hextall’s dog.  The landlord tried unsuccessfully to eject Neal, so called the police who found Neal mocking the landlord as he was refused more ale.

Neal had been drinking from12 midday until 8pm in the pub.  The Mayor therefore dismissed the case, instead cautioned Hextall for plying Neal with drink allowing him to become drunk.’

In November 1869, the pub was up for let:

‘To let a new licensed public house known as the Willow Bridge Inn to be let on account of the deacese of the landlady, incoming £130 apply on the premises.’

George Armstrong became the owner and licensee in 1869.  George would be licensee until 1881, but not without some trouble.  In May 1873, Henry Kibler assaulted his wife in the pub.  She had been in the Willow Bridge Inn all afternoon and was acting scary, so Kibler thrust her through the door, knocking her head on the floor.  Case dismissed as a domestic.

May 1874 the following took place/ HIT ON THE HEAD WITH A SHOVEL

In March 1874, landlord Armstrong was assaulted by William  Norton who came into the bar and pulled the blinds down.  The landlord climbed on a table to fix them back up, but Norton pulled the table from under him, injuring the landlords ankle.  Norton received twenty one days hard labour.

          

George Armstrong would transfer his licence to Isaac Heard in August 1881.

Isaac died a couple of years later, and wife, Emma, took over until 1893 when Fred Holton came in. LBM purchased the property from George Armstrong (who was still the owner), in this year complete with numbers 65 & 67 Willow Bridge Street.

Holton’s lease expired October in 1898, although it was advertised as a Free Brewing House, occupied by Fred Holton whose lease expired December 1898. George Orme became licensee, followed by Fred Orme who was still in charge circa 1910.  From here on in the licensees are: Thomas Franks in 1920 followed by John Franks until c1944 and James then Henry Pollard until c 1954 then Lewis Morris who was the last landlord before demolition.

Two photos of Willow Bridge Street (Laura Evans collection, taken by Tom Bassett).

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