Meet The Publican - The King Richard III, Leicester

Bobby and Bee Shields have been married nearly 26 years. They were both born and bred in Braunstone and met at School. They have been in the pub trade for 21 years and have 3 kids, and 3 grandkids. They started out at The Airman’s Rest before moving to Braunstone Victoria Working Mens Club. Next was The Red Lion at Huncote (old friends still travel to Leicester to see them every weekend), then there were stints at the Thomas Cook (now demolished), the Tom Thumb, Blaby, the Black Horse, Braunstone Gate, the Western, the Rutland and Derby and, finally, the King Richard III. They are currently tenants of the Richard III, having previously worked for a holding company managing the other pubs.

“The idea of working for a holding company is to go into pubs and get them in shape, and turn them around then move on. The King Richard is different, it is our tenancy and we are working hard to improve it”. Bob is also not one to rush either, given the size of his cellar he could put on lots of beer, but is a bit limited by the bar size. This of course is not too much of a problem. “I’m not rushing things, I’m building up, I’ve got Tiger and Beacon at the moment, and might have something else soon”.  I will be honest I’ve not really been a fan of Tiger (maybe it was those cans I had at the County Cricket Ground?), but Bob has converted me. Bob keeps his Tiger in top condition, and he is very proud of his cellar. “If anyone has any grumbles about their beer I’m more than happy to check it”.

Bob is a die-hard Aston Villa fan and loves his football. An aspiring footballer in his youth, his playing was cut short by two broken legs, not that this stopped him, nothing does according to Bee. Bob is also a fully qualified class 1 football referee, nothing gets past him in the pub either. When Bob isn’t watching football or working, he likes to indulge in fishing, golf and crib (he’s very good apparently). He was also accused of being a County Dart player, something that bemused him at the time. Bob’s philosophy is to have a go and take part, so though his football skills are good, his skill with the old arrows isn’t great “I might look like a darts player and I might not be any good, but I take part. It’s a great laugh playing with the lads”.

Bee is a fully qualified chef and this is very telling in her excellent Sunday lunches and darts suppers. Her cobs are arguably the best I have found in Leicester. She made sure her kids can cook too, though admittedly their son rang up the other week to ask “how do you do braising steak?”, only for Bob to say “Buy a bloody cookbook”.

Recently, the function room upstairs has been decorated (I think Bob picked the colours – take a look and you will see what I mean) and heating has been installed, something that will be welcomed as the pub for years has been regarded for being cold – no longer true, bookings for meetings and charity events can be arranged.

The King Richard years ago had a good reputation for its Darts, something Bob is fully aware of. There are now 2 additional dartboards upstairs as well as a skittle table. He now has 11 darts teams signed up, 3 pool teams and 1 crib team, so Bee will be busy (no pun intended) working her magic in the kitchen.

Bob and Bee are also ardent supporters of the LRI’s Children’s Ward, something they have supported for 21 years in appreciation for the help they received for when their youngest son Leighton was ill. Bee explained that it is easier to donate things that they need as actual money gets swallowed up in Admin costs etc, something that not everyone is aware of. Bee is currently planning her next shopping list. Recently a charity darts night was held. Bob is planning more, if you are interested contact Bob at the pub.

Behind Bob’s tough looking stature is a warm hearted and witty man (he is a bit camera shy). He loves his kids and his missus and he loves his customers. “They are characters, but they are a great bunch and I wouldn’t swap them.”

So if you are in town, pop in and say hello. You will be more than welcomed.

Tony Kelly.

This page last updated: May 28, 2008

Full Archive.

This site copyright © 2001 - 2008 The Leicester branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale