This pub was known as the Horns, until 1789 when it became the Roebuck, and by 1834 it became known as the Leopard. It’s the oldest documented alehouse in the Township of Willaston.
According to the Tithe Award apportionment of 1845 the house had a garden of just under one acre, as well as five acres of farmland. The building was demolished in 1935 and rebuilt by J. T. Gresty & Son to its present form and was owned by Punch Taverns.
Landlords of The Leopard
| Year | Landlord |  |
| 1765-97 | Ralph Procter | |
| 1798-1813 | John Pool | |
| 1814 | Hannah Simpson | |
| 1815-34 | Daniel Pick | |
| 1841-44 | Hannah Pick | |
| 1845-65 | James Pick | |
| 1869-83 | Thomas Lovatt | |
| 1888-90 | Thomas Hitchen | |
| 1891-1928 | Gomer Jones | |
| 1934-45 | William Lewis | |
| 1947-56 | Rowland Leigh | |
| 1956-82 | John Potts | |
| 1982-88 | Graham Weaver | |
| 1988-89 | Diane Hammond | |
| 1989-? | Peter Mulrooney | |
| 1995-2000? | Martin Wrighthouse |
There are a few gaps, please email me if you have any information or corrections.
Gomer Jones
In 1881 Gomer Jones was a ginger beer manufacturer, living at 10 Mill Street, Nantwich. He became the licensee of the Leopard from 1891 to 1928, making him Nantwich’s 7th longest serving licensee.
This is a printed poster found in July 1991 in a house in Welsh Row, originally a small shop which closed in 1900.
The poster was probably printed around 1885 and is an advertisement for Gomer Jones’s Mineral Waters, which he then manufactured on premises adjoining the Leopard Inn.
They also did furniture removal, as this advert from Nantwich Museum shows:
In Victorian times inquests were held in The Leopard.
The pub was also once the headquarters, changing rooms and home to Nantwich Football Club. Gomer Jones would provide knife and fork suppers, with entertainment, for the team.
Gomer Jones died in 1930 aged 76.
Jackie Potts
John Charles Potts (1917 – 1996), was known as Jackie, and became a professional boxer from Crewe, who was active between 1933 and 1945.
He boxed at flyweight; bantamweight; featherweight; lightweight; welterweight; middleweight and took part in 104 professional contests.
Jackie worked at the Leopard Hotel for 10 years as an assistant, and became the licensee in 1956. He retired in 1982, and during his life did much to promote wrestling and also raise substantial sums for charity.
The Leopard Today
The Leopard was acquired in 2012 by Joule’s Brewery and underwent an extensive refurbishment.
Web: www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/pubs/pub_details.php?id=14
Peter Mulrooney left & went to The Stamford Bridge, near Chester.
Someone else after Peter but cannot remember who.
Martin Wrighthouse took over approx 1995 & was still there until about 2000.
If I remember any more will let you know.
My daughter will be round later today and I will ask her as her husband, Tony worked there.
I found a bottle embossed Gromer Jones Nantwich during a house renovation project locally. Incredible to find this history in the local ground.