Gardeners Arms Birstall Street, corner Curzan Street?
Posted on Leicester Past and Present by Micheal Ancliff who told of his parents keeping the Gardeners, then an off licence, if it ever held a full licence not sure, although in the early days c1830 all applicants were given a beerhouse licence, not until a few years later were off licences available at a cheaper rate. So many changed from their beerhouse licence to an off licence, if that happened in this case is not yet known.
What is known that the Gardeners was owned by local brewer Tom Hoskins, one of only four outlets they held, the others, Red Lion at Bosworth, two other offie’s in Leicester one at the brewery in Beaumanor Rd and one in Twycross Street.
The Gardeners closed c1960 and was compulsory purchased by the City Council, the Brewery received £600 as it had an electric light. if it hadn’t the compensation would be only £200.
Alan Love a relative of the Hoskins family was the last licensee.
(Thanks to Steve Hoskins for the information).
I lived at the Gardener’s Arms as the oldest son of Allan Love until we moved to Beaumont Leys Lane. We were the last building standing and the very last residents in the area prior to its demolition. The property had a bathroom which increased its value in addition to electricity. The original mains voltage was 200 volts but the voltage was increased to 240volts a few years before demolition too.
Thanks Stewart, very informative, confirms what Steve Hoskins told me about value paid out on compulsory purchase increased if you had a bath or electricity.Thanks again.