Pub News

March 2010

• Flores, Kings St / New Walk has closed.
• The Longstop / Cricketers / Churchgate Tavern / Gatehouse on Churchgate has been boarded up.
• The Chandlers, Shearsby offers 20 a pint off to CAMRA members.
• The Criterion and The Globe are both selling Irish cask ales on St Patricks day March 17th.
• The Globe has extended its 15% discount offer to CAMRA members in March.
• The Slug & Lettuce, Market St has introduced a 15% discount off food and drink to CAMRA members and now has 4 handpumps. LocAle is to feature more.The offer starts on March 10th.
• The Black Dog, Oadby had stopped selling mild.
• The Wheel, Oadby had stopped lunchtime meals in the week.
• The discount for CAMRA members at the Old Horse, Leicester is permanent.
• The Red Cow, Leicester Forest East had been refurbished.
• The Poachers Pocket, Chartwell Drive, Wigston, has been refurbished and renamed 'The Chartwell Arms'.
• The Shoulder of Mutton, Great Bowden, now sells Belvoir Star as a regular, along with Black Sheep Bitter and Marstons Pedigree and also sells a guest beer available at weekends, but not always in the week.

pubnews0310.inc

February 2010

• Syston Social Club are having two extra handpumps installed taking the total number of handpumps to six. One of the new handpumps is intended to have a draught cider on.
• The Welland Lodge, Lubenham Hill, Market Harborough, a Greene King pub, has closed and is rumoured to reopening as a fitness centre.

pubnews0210.inc

January 2010

• Syston Social Club is now taking guest beers from Beer my Guest (Beer Agency) in addition to the full Marston’s Range.
• The Peacock, The Square, Market Harborough has closed. It is understood a national restaurant chain in sinterested.
• The Horse & Trumpet, Medbourne, one time CAMRA national inventory listed, but in recent years an upmarket restaurant, has closed.
• The Old Barn, Glooston is currently closed.
• The Tipsy Fisherman, Thornton is now under Steamin' Billy ownership - it is opening in MARCH.

pubnews0110.inc

December 2009

• The Marquis of Queensbury, Blaby Road, South Wigston, has closed again. It is understand that the Pub Company is now looking to dispose of the property.
• The former 'Parody' in Market Street is now the 'Reynard' (re-opened 28/11). Three beers on: Jennings Cumberland, CW Bombardier & a guest beer (Fir Kin Ale??). Pub is open from 9am every day.
• Villagers are vowing to stand by their pub despite a brewery's decision to sell the 100-year-old building. Admiral Taverns wants to shut the Red Lion, in Desford, with the potential for it to be converted into new homes.

pubnews1209.inc

November 2009

• The Victory and the Pride of Leicester, Aylestone Road have been sold to the the NHS Trust. Both, it is understood, are to be demolished to extend the hospital car park.
• The Pump & Tap has served the last customers and is due for demolition.
• The Almanack, a new pub in the Highcross, officially opened on Nov 26th. It has 2 Purity beers, GK IPA and Wells Bombardier. It is a proper pub with a restaurant, you can bring your dogs in if you want and although it's modern, treat it as a local.

pubnews1109.inc

October 2009

• Steamin' Billy pubs The Western, Leicester and the Paget, Loughborough are honouring CAMRA Members 50p Wetherspoon vouchers on certain beers. This does NOT apply at the Cow & Plough, Oadby.
• The Black Horse, Walcote (reopened) now sells Adnams Bitter, Greene King IPA, Abbot, Fullers and London Pride. Only Abbot was on when recently visited.
• White Swan, Shawell (reopened) - has Brakspears Bitter and Oxford Gold (both £3 per pint).
• Grey Goose, Gilmorton (reopened), previously the Talbot, now mainly a restaurant sells CW Bombardier & Castle Rock Harvest Pale.

pubnews1009.inc

September 2009

• The Old Horse, London Road Leicester are offering 20% off all Real Ales to card carrying CAMRA Members.
• Two new pubs have been purchased by Everards; The Crown Inn, Beeston, Nottingham (from Greene King) and The Rose & Crown, Chesterfield which will be run by Brampton Brewery. The Crown Inn will serve a diverse range of real ales, free from tie.
• Baz Parish has finally secured purchase of the Stag & Hounds at Burrough on the Hill. The pub is now temporarily closed for refurbishment with a reopening planned for mid-September and when a minimum of two Parish beers will be in plentiful supply plus the occasional micro guest ale. In addition to the real ale, local home cooked food will also be available.
• Everards tenancy change James and Nicole Lewitt have taken over the Blue Bell,Stoney Stanton.
• Everards tenancy change Michael Leicester, Graham Grimes, Colin & Karen Potts have taken over the Sun Inn, Cottesmore.
• The interior of the former Three Cranes, Humberstone Gate, has been removed, and the property is being subdivided into shop units.
• A planning application has been submitted to convert the Balmoral Hotel, Belgrave Road to a shop, restaurant and flats.
• The former Black Swan, Belgrave Gate, is to become a clinic.
• The Black Horse, Walcote has reopened. Reported to be owned by a management company.
• The Pub, Leicester's new real ale bar opnes on Sept 26th. Situated behind the former Vin IV at 12b New Walk.

pubnews0909.inc

August 2009

• The former Blacksmiths Arms, Cosby has reopened as 'Bangla Lodge - a contemporary Bangladeshi restaurant & bar' - no handpumps.
• Vin IV, formerly Out of the Vaults is closing on King St. New premises have been found on New Walk at what is now Retro Bar.
• The Globe, 43 Silver St, Leicester has had the cellar refurbished and repainted. ALSO CAMRA members can benefit from 15% discount until the end of October on all real ales upon producing a valid membership card.
• Julian Angel of The Hind is taking over The Black Horse, Braunstone Gate on Aug 25th.

pubnews0809.inc

July 2009

• The Wheatsheaf, Whetstone has been boarded up.
• The Black Dog, Oadby has a new landlord Lee Burrows.The pub is selling Banks Original and Bitter along with a 'guest'.

pubnews0709.inc

June 2009

• Alun and Rosemary Nash have now left The Cherry Tree, Little Bowden, Market Harborough, Philip North, Karen Evans, Nigel & Carol Tilley are the new Licensees.
• Philip Gomersall has now left and returned to his hometown Kingston Upon Hull. We at Leicester CAMRA wish him well and thank him for being joint Licensee of our Beer Festival for the last 4 years.
• Hugh Kerr has returned as the new Licensee at The Globe, 43 Silver Street Leicester. He was formerly the Licensee until 2006. On his return, he has reduced his beer prices
• The Old Crown, Fleckney has new Licensees - Julian and Karen Watson.
• The Barley Mow has new Licensses - David Holmes & Jon Lengthorn.
• The Black Dog in Oadby has reopened.
• The Fox & Hounds has been sold to a PubCo.
• Dick Cross from the Fox & Hounds has taken on The Bewicke Arms, Hallaton.
• The Gateway, Leicester has closed.
• The Queen Vic, Leicester has been boarded up with steel shutters.
• The Bulls Head, Belgrave has been boarded up with steel shutters.
• The Nautical William, Wigston has reopened.
• The Bell, Wigston has reopened.

pubnews0609.inc

April 2009

• Peter Green will be taking on the Black Horse, Foxon Street.
• The Globe, Leicester is set to see the return of a former Landlord.
• It is understood there is a new Licensee at Malt Shoval Barkby.

pubnews0409.inc

March 2009

• The Criterion is Leicester Pub of the Year 2009.
• The Chandlers Arms, Shearsby is the Leicester County Pub of the Year 2009. Plans are in hand for their first beer festival July 10/11th.
• The Queen Victoria, Southampton St has closed down again.
• The Dog & Gun, Kilby has a new Licensee; Jenny Cox.

pubnews0309.inc

February 2009

• The Queen Victoria, Southampton St is to re-open as a Bells Brewery tap on Feb 13th.
• The Gateway, Gateway St, Leicester has been taken over by Bells Brewery and will beome another tap house from Thurs 19th February.
• Bewicke Arms, Hallaton, appears to be closed.
• The Nautical William, Wigston has reopened.

pubnews0109.inc

January 2009

• The Golden Fleece, South Croxton has reopened.
• The Black Horse, Walcote has closed from Jan 1st. The business is up for sale.
• The Three Kilns in Nicklaus Road has been renamed MEHMAN.The emphasis is moving towards Indian food, but the front bar is still open and sells Banks's Bitter (H).
• The Harrow in Thurmaston is currently selling Belvoir Star Mild, Belvoir Star Bitter and Landlord.
• The White Hart at Thurmaston has now been replaced by new housing.
• The Prince of Wales at Thurmaston is still boarded up, and for sale freehold.
• LocAle has taken off in the Leicester CAMRA area.
• Vin Quatre, King St, Leicester has joined LocAle.
• The Criteron, Millstone Lane, Leicester has joined LocAle.
• The Chandlers Arms, Shearsby has joined LocAle.
• The Golden Shield, Fleckney has joined LocAle.
• The Crown Inn, Uppingham has joined LocAle.
• The Windmill, Brascote has joined LocAle.
• The White Lion, North Kilworth is selling Pedigree, Marstons Bitter and a Marstons Guest.
• The Bell, Wigston appears to have closed.
• The Nautical William, Wigston appears to have closed.
• The Harrow Inn, Melton Road, Thurmaston has joined LocAle.
• The Cow & Plough, Oadby has joined LocAle.
• The Western, Western Road, Leicester has joined LocAle.
• The Grainstore, Oakham has joined LocAle.
• The Swan & Rushes, Infirmary Sq, Leicester has joined LocAle.

pubnews0109.inc

November 2008

• The Bell Inn, Narborough is being converted into an Indian restaurant.

pubnews1108.inc

October 2008

• The Dog & Gun, Walton has re-opened.
• The Union Inn, Aylestone has closed - reason unknown.
• The White Lion, North Kilworth has had the boards taken down.
• The Black Dog, Oadby has reopened.
• Kings, King St, Leicester has re-opened without real ale.
• The former Tom Hoskins Brewery site is to let on Beaumanor Road with James A Baker Property agents.
• Pause Bar, 12 New Walk, Leicester now owned by Turnstone Taverns (owner of Alcazar Brewery and 5 other pubs) have installed 3 handpumps - this to be confirmed.
• The Queen Victoria, Southampton St has closed - reason unknown.
• The Marquis of Wellington, London Road is now run by The Passionate Pub Co.

pubnews1008.inc

July 2008

• The Fox at Hallaton has reopened.
• The Black Dog, Oadby appears to have closed.
• Kings, King St has closed.
• The Dog and Gun, Walton has closed.
• Planning permission has been granted to build 15 house on the site of The Golden Age, Ramsey Way.
• Planning permission has been granted on the site of The Daniel Lambert, Gamel Road - one for change of use to a place of worship, the other for residential redevelopment.
• Please e-mail the webmaster of any changes you are aware of to keep this section up to date.

pubnews0708.inc

May 2008

• Latest Tenancy changes at Everards are Mark & Jill Richards at The Queens Head, Billesden.
• Colin & Marilyn Blackburn at The Tudor, Leicester.
• Ronnie & Maureen Thomson at The Cricketers Leicester
• Nicholas Dobson at The Railway, Ratby.
• John Broughton & Kerry March at The Lindens Mountsorrel.
• Old White Swan, Newbold Verdon - Jayme & Paula Baynes (previously Nags Head, Glenfield).
• Shakespeare – Roger, Beverley & David Aspinall.
• Blue Bell, Hoby – Clare Highton & Mike Lynn.
• Blackbird - Lorraine Anderson.
• Michael & Julie Stokes at The Nags Head, Glenfield. Leicester CAMRA wish the new Tenants all the very best.
• The Fox at Hallaton has closed.
• The White Lion at North Kilworth has closed and been boarded up.
• The Tom Hoskins, 133 Beaumanor Road, Leicester has re-opened the rear bar following a complete refurbishment after a 5 year period of closure.

pubnews0508.inc

April 2008

• The Northbridge Tavern, 1 Frog Island is now closed and boarded up. It is also up for sale and is rumoured to have planning permission to convert to flats if required by purchaser.
• The Railway at Ratby is available for lease.
• The Blackbird is rumoured to have received planning permission for conversion to dwellings.The Tavern at Walcote could be going the same way.
• The Holly Bush at Hinckley is to be an Indian restaurant.
• The Black Horse, Walcote is up for sale £760,000 freehold with Guy Simmonds.
• It has been noted that the Red Lion at Great Bowden was selling Greene King IPA at £3.00 a pint.

pubnews0408.inc

March 2008

• The New Inn, Enderby has closed for refurbishment. It will reopen on April 8th with new patio doors,carpets etc and new racking in the cellar.

pubnews0308.inc

February 2008

• The City Council has issued a Building Preservation Notice on the former All Saints Brewery, 99 - 103 High Cross St, Leicester. This protects the building as if it was a listed building for a period of six months, and gives the Secretary of State the opportunity to list it.
• A planning application has been submitted to convert the former Daniel Lambert Public House, Gamel Road to a place of worship.
• The former Greyhound, Little Bowden now named the Oat Hill and mainly a restaurant has a house beer brewed by Langton Brewery called Oat Hill Bitter
• The Leicester Gateway has been sold by the Tynemill chain to a new operator. More details are expected to be announced soon.
• The Three Crowns (formerly Old Brewery Inn), Somerby is closing soon with approx 7 houses being built on the site.
• The former Three Cranes has been renamed Whites Victorian Bar and has Greene King IPA, Abbot and Old Speckled Hen on handpump.

pubnews0208.inc

January 2008

• Planning permission has been granted to convert the Spinney Hill Hotel, 179 Maidstone Road into six flats.
• The Marquess of Queensberry, Blaby Road, South Wigston has reopened but did not appear to have real ale.
• The Shoulder of Mutton at Great Bowden has installed a fourth real ale pump and has added Flowers Original as a regular, along with Marstons Pedigree and Greene King IPA. The other pump has a constantly changing guest beer.
• The Queen Victoria, Southampton St has reopened with 7 handpumps. The house beer is Sam Smiths OBB out of wooden casks.
• Planning permission has been applied for to convert the former very interesting but short-lived WEAVERS pub at Cramant Cottages, 54 King Street, to a day nursery.
• The Blacksmiths Arms, Cosby has closed down.

pubnews0108.inc

December 2007

• The Black Horse, 1 Foxon Street Leicester now has a smoking area to the rear of the pub.
• The Western, 70 Western Road Leicester has now opened as a Steamin’ Billy Pub with guest beers as well, some on gravity from the cellar.
• The Tom Hoskins, 133 Beaumanor Road Leicester has now re-opened under new Management following a period of closure.
• Glynn & Gail Lovell have left The Tudor, 100 Tudor Road Leicester. A new Licensee will be appointed shortly.
• Karen Foster of The Criterion, 44 Millstone Lane Leicester has recently received her Personal License and has become joint Licensee along with Russell Hunt.
• Hotel Belgrave, Loughborough Road Leicester is being converted in to dwellings as will The White Hart Thurmaston shortly.
• The Blue Ball, Braunston In Rutland is now under new management.

pubnews0075.inc

November 2007

• The Durham Ox, Birstall Street (Dysart Way), Leicester has been re-badged as a Marstons house (formerly Burtonwood and Ind Coope). On a recent visit two handpumps were evident on the bar, but no pump clips.
• The Marquis Wellington, London Road, Leicester is now selling traditional cider - Westons Old Rosie. The Dog & Gun at Enderby is up for sale.
• The Western, Western Road, Leicester is being refurbished and will be opening in November under the same relationship with Everards as the Paget in Loughborough.
• The Swan & Rushes, Infirmary Square, Leicester is holding a Festival from 23rd to 25th November - beer list available from Keith Williams.

pubnews0074.inc

October 2007

• Bridge 61, Foxton Locks - the landlord has gained Cask Marque accreditation for the quality of his real aleas.
• Flores, a new bar at the bottom of New Walk, Leicester now has three handpumps dispensing Everards Sunchaser, Grainstore Ten Fifty and Cheddar Valley Traditional Cider. Barman/Cellarman said Sunchaser was to be replaced by Crouch Vale Brewers Gold as a regular beer soon.
• The Meadowbank, The Meadows, Wigston, is to become an Indian Restaurant under the same ownership as Little India, Arnesby (formerly the Cock).
• The Old Library at Oadby appears to no longer sell real ale.
• The Swan & Rushes, Infirmary Square / Oxford Street, Leiceseter - Grant Cook has announced that he will be putting the pub on the market. He will be staying and business will carry on as usual until the lease has been sold.
• The Fox & Tiger, formerly the Wyvern and Kings Arms, is to be turned into dwellings
• The former Angel is being done up but is not becoming a pub again.
• The Black Horse, Aylestone recently held a successful Beer Festival.
• The Lindens, Mountsorrel has new Licensees, Michael & Julie Stokes.
• The Blues, Oadby has new Licensees Vinod, Prakesh & Reemesh Patel.
• The Marquis Wellington,London Road,Leicester has a new Licensee, Bharat (Baz) Desai.
• The Queens Head, Saddington has new Licensees, Sally Anne Epton & Philip John Webb.
• The Tom Thumb, Blaby has new Licensees, John & Kim Franklin.
• The Royal Oak, Rothley has new Licensees Ian Banks & Philip Tiggs.
• George Mason, corner of Braunstone Gate/Narborough Road, Leicester has two handpumps dispensing Grainstore Cooking and Timothy Taylor Landlord.
• The Western, Western Road, Leicester, is due to open shortly as a Steamin’ Billy Pub. Joint Licensees are Bill Allingham & Barry Lount.

Leicester CAMRA wishes the above Licensees every success with their new pubs.

pubnews0073.inc

September 2007

Sorry there was no Pub News in August.

• The Friar Tuck, Northgate, Leicester is once again boarded up and for sale. Its opposite neighbour, The Old Robin Hood remains in the same state.
• Churchill's, Hotel Street, Leicester - the former Yates' 'Jitty' - is closed for refurbishment.
• The Criterion, Millstone lane, Leicester is holding a Beer Festival from 6th to 9th September.
• Out of the Vaults, King Street, Leicester is now open until 2.00am at weekends.
• The Cow & Plough, Oadby now has a sister pub, the Paget, Oxford Street, Loughborough having been acquired by Barry Lount's Steamin' Billy Brewing Company.
• The Neville Arms, Medbourne is under new ownership. Sam Smiths OBB, Fullers London Pride, St Austell Tribute on 15/07/07.
• Grant Cook stated that for personal reasons, he would be putting on the market. He would be staying and business would carry on as usual until the lease was sold.

pubnews0072.inc

July 2007

• The Fox, Oadby has new licensees who are claiming to be both owners and tenants.
• Syston Social Club held a Beer Festival on the last weekend of June with 15 beers.
• The Queen Victoria, Syston is being renovated.
• The Hollybush, Hinckley - Hinckley & Bosworth Sub-Branch have contacted Hinckley & Bosworth Council about a skip seen outside.
• The Belgrave, Loughborough Road, Leicester is now being redeveloped as apartments.
• The Midland Hotel, Saffron Lane, Leicester is currently boarded up and the lease on offer, despite recent renovation work.
• The former Black Swan, Belgrave Gate - the lease is on the market.
• The Gynsills, Glenfield has recently achieved Cask Marque status in recognition of the quality of its beers.
• The Cow & Plough, Oadby is holding a beer festival from 13th to 15th July.
• The New Road Inn, Welford Road, Leicester is under new management.
• The Chequers, Swinford is holding a beer festival from the evening of Friday 20th June to 4pm on Sunday 22nd June. Sixteen beers and ciders. Live entertainment on Friday & Saturday evening.

pubnews0071.inc

June 2007

• The Forest Park at Leicester Forest East had only one Real Ale on a recent visit.
• The Bowlturners Arms, Belgrave Gate, Leicester has become a meeting place for the Polish community.
• The Malt Shovel at Barkby changed hands a year ago. There had been a commitment to leave it unchanged for one year, now changes could occur. It is very quiet at present.
• The Midland Hotel, Saffron Lane, Leicester - Despite being given major refurbishment recently, the pub is currently boarded up and to let.

pubnews0070.inc

May 2007

• The Fat Cat Cafe Bar, Belvoir Street, Leicester, recently refurbished, no longer sells real ale.
• The Criterion, Millstone Lane, Leicester is holding a Beer Festival from Thursday 3rd to Monday 7th May.
• The Cork & Bottle, Humberstone Gate, Leicester (formerly known as the Three Cranes) opens on 4th May.
• The Forest Park, Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East, now has three handpumps in operation.
• The Shakespeare's Head, Southgates, Leicester has raised the price of Barnsley Bitter to £1.45.
• The Crows Nest, Glenfield Road East, Leicester has a new licensee, Tim Joudrey.
• The Union Inn, Middleton Street, Aylestone is under new management.

Leicester CAMRA wishes the above licensees every success in their new pubs.

pubnews0069.inc

April 2007

Sorry there was no Pub News in March.

• The Wheel Inn, Rearsby has been taken over by the Nice Pub People and re-opened on Wednesday, 7th March. Regular beers on sale include Greene King Abbott and IPA, plus initial guests: Ruddles County and Titanic Anchor.
• Fat Cat Cafe Bar, Belvoir Street, Leicester has re-opened following a £350,000 refurbishment.
• The Jolly Miller, Conduit Street, Leicester has started selling Real Ale; Marstons Old Empire has been seen.
• The Castle, Kirby Muxloe has changed hands. It is selling Courage Directors and two guests.
• The Shakespeare’s Head, Southgates, Leicester is offering lunchtime food.
• The Chandlers Arms, Shearsby is serving micro-brewed beers.
• The Sugar Loaf, Market Harborough is selling Langton beers.
• The Belper Arms, Newton Burgoland is being run by Steve Booth, ex of Leicester Tigers and is serving ale from the cask.
• The Black Dog, Oadby has new Licensees (no further details at present).

pubnews0068.inc

February 2007

• The Fox & Tiger, Granby Street, Leicester, formerly known as The Wyvern, The King's Head and The Dirty Duck, has now been renamed The Road. The handpumps on the bar appear to be unused.
• The Three Cranes, Humberstone Gate, Leicester is to re-open in March as the Cork & Bottle.
• The Red Lion, Highcross Street, Leicester - Leicester Civic Society reports that the new owner has been busy installing out of character features such as plastic windows, despite the building being in a Conservation Area.
• The Hat & Beaver, Highcross Street, Leicester - Planning permission has been granted to convert the pub into a beauty salon, with the front taken down and a three storey extension at the rear.
• The East Belgrave Conservative Club now has no real ale.
• The Royal Oak in Uppingham is a non-smoking free house with 3 real ales, including 2 from Grainstore. It will be holding a beer festival in June or July.
• Out of the Vaults is holding a beer festival on 9th & 10th February.
• The Criterion is holding a beer festival on 15th to 18th February.
• The Black Horse, Aylestone is holding a beer festival from 2nd to 4th March.

pubnews0067.inc

You can help! If you know of anything happening to pubs in your area let us know. The email address is shown on the Committee pages.

Pub News 2001

Pub News 2002

Pub News 2003

Pub News 2004

Pub News 2005

Pub News 2006

Pub News 2007

This page last updated: March 2, 2010

This site copyright © 2001 - 2010 The Leicester branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale