Classic Leicester Pubs     

by Barry Lount, photos by Karen Hobson

THE ALE WAGON, LEICESTER

This month we are back in Leicester city centre and the imposing Ale Wagon on the corner of Charles Street and Rutland Street, formerly The Queens Hotel.

During the 1990’s this pub was another run down and neglected building with little future, so credit must go to the Hoskins family on their painstaking work on the restoration of what was left of the interior.

Very little has changed to the classical 1930’s exterior, rebuilt during the road widening of Charles Street.

The ornate hopper, pictured left has the date 1931, is original and harmonizes with the windows and simple triangular arch over the doorway (top)

There is still work to be done in bringing this old hotel back to its former glory, but on the evidence so far the restoration is thoughtful and true to the original, it is a shame that so many of Leicester’s pubs have been ruined in the pursuit of new trends, The Ale Wagon is proving what can be done to enhance architecturally the city’s heritage.

The real surprises are internally and the piece de resistance for me is the oak staircase.

This original Leicester Brewing & Malting bar re-sited in The Ale Wagon, matches the staircase. Complete with the wooden flooring, this bar is I think the only Leicester Brewing & Malting one left in the city.

The ornate elevated ceiling mouldings are intact in both ground floor rooms.
 

Some of the original interior remains upstairs in this ex-six bed roomed hotel. Again its oak wood partitioning stands out. 

Many thanks to the Hoskins family for their hospitality.

This page last updated: April 15, 2011

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