High Street

The street that sold pigs and accommodated royalty

High Street follows a route that existed in Roman times, connecting East Gate to the Forum and Basilica (now Jubilee Square). In medieval times it was known as Forum Porcorum (‘pig market’) or Swinesmarket, but by 1524 had been renamed High Street to reflect its increased importance. By 1569 Henry, Earl of Huntingdon, was living here in a grand mansion known as Lord’s Place (now 43-51 High Street). It is said Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed there in 1586 followed by King James I in 1612 and Charles I in 1642. A plaque on No. 45 High Street records the site’s history.

A Victorian shopping street

In 1885 the Co-operative Society built a large new store on High Street, accommodating the various services the Co-op provided. It traded until 1985 and was demolished four years later when The Shires shopping centre (now Highcross Leicester) was constructed. However, its façade, as well as the frontages of other Victorian and Edwardian buildings, was incorporated into the complex as 53-71 High Street.

Looking up High Street from the Clock Tower with electric trams in the foreground c.1930

The arrival of the trams

In 1899 the construction of the Great Central Railway further increased the importance of High Street, which linked the commercial heart of Leicester with the new station. The street had to be widened to accommodate Leicester’s new electric tram system and many of its buildings were demolished and replaced. Replacement buildings that have survived include No. 7, a classical style bank (1904), No. 40, Leicester’s first cinema, the Electric Theatre (1910), Nos. 58-60, Butler’s Chemist’s Shop and Nos. 76-88, the Coronation Buildings (1904).

The Butler's Chemist building, seen here in 2017

Butler's Chemists, 58-60 High Street

The building on the west corner of High Street was designed in a classical style but with distinctive art nouveau features by Albert Edwin Sawday and built in 1902 for Thomas Edward Butler, who had previously dispensed from premises in Sanvey Gate. His family's business had been founded in 1840 and was styled as 'wholesale druggists'.  Butler also owned a factory in Town Hall Lane where he produced his 'Sea Breeze Saline', a headache remedy which was advertised in the façade of his High Street shop.  This, with an image of a full-rigged sailing vessel, together with the likeness of the proprietor in the guise of a medieval alchemist with pestle and mortar and carboys, were made from Royal Doulton tiles, and were a familiar landmark in High Street for many years.  At the back of the building, the original wrought iron gate still stands with the words 'Butler’s Goods Entrance'.