The Story of The Vaults

It was Sunday 28^th September that Leicester lost one of it’s flagship “Real Ale” pubs, as The Vaults on Wellington Street in the city closed its doors for the last time. Small in size, situated in a cellar, but big in popularity, a regular in the Good Beer Guide and Leicester’s current “Pub Of The Year” as well as last year.

This pub opened in September 1996 from an idea by Barry Lount, who still runs the Cow & Plough at Oadby, (owner of the name Steamin’ Billy) along with Billy Allingham of Leatherbritches Brewery in Ashbourne, Derbyshire (former brewer of Steamin’ Billy) and Simon Postlethwaite, a local businessman. The idea was to sell beers purely from micro breweries with the odd regional from time to time. In its seven years it has done just that with 2,948 different beers being sold, with only about 5 nationals slipping through by accident, Boddingtons Mild is the only one I recall. They once had a barrel of Marston’s Pedigree, kept for 3 weeks to show people how it can taste.

Over the years, Barry and Billy sold their interests on to Simon, who put the premises on the market about 8 months ago with very little interest.  Recently, someone came up with an offer which he has accepted and giving the management, staff and regular customers 9 days notice of closure, the local members were no less than devastated.

On the last night of the Vaults, the place was packed to bursting. The last new beer to feature was Midas Man from Glentworth Brewery. The last pint was served at 10.08pm, Oakham JHB, preceded by Bishops Farewell.

The future of the premises is not certain, but a non real ale wine bar/night club have been rumoured. Whatever it becomes, it won’t be a patch on it’s life over the last 7 years. Although Leicester still has a good selection of “Real Ale” pubs, management and staff of The Vaults have stored all mementoes and are looking for premises to re-introduce the concept of supporting microbreweries in true Vaults style again in Leicester in the not too distant future.

K Williams

Click to read Thank You letter from Paul Summers, last manager of the Vaults.

 This page last updated: April 15, 2011

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