The Corn Exchange was bought by JD Wetherspoon and opened its doors in 2000, having been built almost a century and a half earlier in 1851. Built during the corn exchange boom of the mid-19th century it suffered the same fate of many English corn exchanges and served its original purpose for only a short amount of time. Fortunately, it remained an important building in Leicester and in 1950 the grand and historical building became Grade II Listed.
The impressive building stands proudly in Leicester’s Market Place, built in a satisfyingly symmetrical neoclassical style. Its tall clock tower can be seen from quite a distance, though on our visit the impressive archway was closed off, with the staircase seemingly being refurbished.
The metal fencing means that the what would be a rather magnificent entry through the 19th-century archway is out of action, and the seating area which would usually be at the front of the pub is absent. A small outside seating area takes its place at the side of the building, and the front entrance is still accessible, albeit via a short detour.
Inside the pub the huge front windows allow plenty of natural light inside, giving it an open and airy feel. A two-storey bar sits as the focal point at the centre, with a mezzanine area to the left and a wraparound upper seating area. The pub underwent a £719,000 refurbishment in 2022 to freshen it up, with one of the more prominent improvements being a new carpet. Encompassing the cinquefoil of the Leicestershire flag with corn motifs, it’s one of the most colourful and unique designs we’ve come across yet.
The toilets have benefitted from the pub’s refurbishment, with a clean, modern and neutral theme consistent with the chain’s contemporary toilet designs.
Ratings (out of 5)
We both rate the pub based on three criteria; the building, the interior and the toilets. These scores are averaged out to give the pub its overall rating. You can read more about the rating system here.
Building: 4.5 & 5.0
Interior: 3.5 & 4.0
Toilets: 4.0 & 3.0
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