There are unconfirmed reports of a beerhouse here circa 1840 but by 1868, William Bentley was landlord of the Wimbledon Target beerhouse.
The Wimbledon Target marked M on map (see photo above), it can be seen that there is little residential property in the street: it was mostly industrial, dominated by Hart & Levy clothing and tailors (Wimbledon Works), apart from eight tenements opposite side to the beerhouse. It does seem likely that the beerhouse served the industrial workers that is borne out by the amount of meetings, suppers and parties held here.
1875, William Bentley was granted a wine and spirit licence to go with his beerhouse one but a letter to the LJ signed ‘XL’ castigated the license authorities for granting the licence. The letter asserted that ‘the house is a small and cheap 2 storey structure, not fit to compare with many of the most unexceptional beerhouses. Situated in a side street with few small tenements, warehouses, stone yard, timer yard and stables.’
This ungracious letter had an ulterior motive as it was credited from a nearby beerhouse that had its application turned down at the same Brewster Sessions. Backing for William Bentley’s application came from Israel Hart of Hart & Levy opposite. Israel Hart was a major employer, later becoming mayor and a Liberal politician. He was a benefactor of Leicester who, amongst other things, dedicated and erected the Lion fountain in Town Hall Square. So, one assumes he held some clout with the authorities. He could entertain there with lavish suppers, and his workforce could be kept under surveillance in the adjoining, now fully licensed pub.
Preceding Bentley’s new licence, disaster had struck Hart & Levy when a fire totally destroyed the building in December 1870, completely gutting it with nothing remaining. The Wimbledon Target was in great jeopardy for a time.
110 sat down for supper at the pub, Osborne builders etc., at the expense of Hart & Levy at the opening.
William Bentley would take advantage of the industrial surroundings. Meetings, suppers and smoking evenings were amongst others held at the Wimbledon Target for Hart & Levy, Walker & Kempsons CC, the Liberal Association, National Union Operatives Boot & Shoe Riveters & Finishers, Licences Victuallers & beerhouse keepers association; Ancient Order of Foresters, Nottingham Oddfellows, Wimbledon Works CC, Leicester Postal & Telegraph Staff, Wimbledon Rugby Club, Melbourne Road Old Boys, I & R Morleys CC, Leicester Master Masons, St Margaret’s YMFS CC, Saddlers Harness makers & Bridle Cutters Association.
This rather undermines the claim made in 1875, that the pub was unfit to be granted a full licence. Indeed, William Bentley was lauded for his hospitality and sumptuous suppers. Bentley was followed as licensee by Arthur and Susanna Curtis, John Kell and Charles Dexter. The Wimbledon Target was still entertaining right up to its closure under the Compensation Act of 1913. £1000 to brewery, £195 to the tenant. Israel Hart died the same year.
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