George Knowles

George William Knowles, The Wheatsheaf, 31 Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

In 1791 Thomas Warren was the victualler at the Wheatsheaf, but in 1813 J Sharman was advertising its planned closure to become an ironmongers.

However, a Wheatsheaf, shown as being on Sherrard Street, continued to trade, in 1835 being run by Henry Scorer. He was still at the pub in 1855, when he was also a corn merchant. At this time, the address was shown as Thorpe End.

The pub then seems to have been run by the Betts family, before passing to George Knowles. He was shown as brewing for 1884-88, although it may actually have been owned by HH Parry. On 15th April 1897, Knowles seems to have been involved in a transfer of ownership. Mention is made of George and Henry Langton, suggesting a connection with the Thorpe End Brewery.

However, on 6th April 1890, LB&M leased the pub for £130 pa from Mr Knowles, but in turn it was mortgaged to him. In June 1893, the landlord Thomas Walker was fined £1 for allowing customers to play dominoes for drink. The following year he was fined a further 10s for being “helplessly drunk” in charge of a cart.

Having given up possession on 6th April 1895, Leicester Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd then came to a new arrangement on the 27th. This was to supply all ales and stouts in cask, except bitter, at 20% discount. The wording suggests that some brewing was still taking place. Mr Knowles paid off his mortgage in 1897.