Great British Pubs… The Corn Exchange (Leicester)

Exclusive Interview by Karen Beishuizen
Photos courtesy of David Webb

The Corn Exchange in Leicester is a beautiful building, outside and inside. Since 2000 it is a Wetherspoon pub. The building itself was known as The Gainsborough, which was used as a law court with shops and dungeons. The dungeons had underground tunnels that led under the market area to The High Cross, which allowed the prisoners to be transported without being seen. Favorite drinks people must try are “Old Peculiar” & “Green Devil”. Traditional breakfast is something everybody should try out! Sir David Attenborough is their biggest celebrity who visited the pub and his portrait hangs on the Mezzanine floor. The pub is considered a Hybrid-Wetherspoons – Spoons with Tunes as they play music.

KB: Since when does the pub building exist and when did it become a Wetherspoon pub?

The building was built in 1509. It became a Wetherspoon pub in July 2000.

KB: What is a fun fact about the pub not many people know?

The building was known as The Gainsborough, which was used as a law court with shops and dungeons. The dungeons had underground tunnels that led under the market area to The High Cross, which allowed the prisoners to be transported without being seen.

KB: What drink is a favorite and should people must try?

We have recently been accredited by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) in the Good Beer Guide 2026. We have built a good reputation with our Ale drinkers, in particular “Old Peculiar” & “Green Devil”. We also attracted a lot of student-based customers who in enjoy our cocktail ranges and craft beers.

KB: What dish on the menu is a favourite and people must try?

Our traditional breakfast is probably our staple out and out best selling dish.

KB: Which famous people have visited the pub over the years?

Our biggest celebrity would potentially be Sir David Attenborough. However, may have been before it became a Wetherspoons pub. Sir David’s father, Frederick, was the principal of University College of Leicester. And we acknowledge this with a portrait of Sir David Attenborough on our Mezzanine floor.

KB: I step inside your pub. What do I see? Walk me through it.

From the outside walking to its location, you first see the clock tower with a green dragon wind vane. Then outside the front entrance a 1500s bridge, that acts as a grand entrance to the doors.

Once inside, the height of the ceilings and the exposed concrete beams captures your eye. Then you notice the large island bar in front of you and you look up again and see a second bar with seating area on a large open mezzanine, held up by concrete beams. It’s a fantastic seating area and a great people watching space.

KB: Why should people visit your pub?

We are a special Wetherspoons. we are branded as a Lloyds, meaning we play music. However, since Covid we have taken away the dance floor and DJ sets. We put in the traditional “Wetherspoon’s Carpets” and decorations but kept the speakers.

We still play music but in a Wetherspoons we often get a lot of comments from our customers, “wish my local spoons played music.”
So, we consider ourselves a Hybrid-Wetherspoons – Spoons with Tunes.

For more information, check out The Corn Exchange’s website: HERE

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