Bird in Hand

Located on a corner of Leek's market place, this is an impressive pub rebuilt 1889 by local architects William Sugden & Son who were also responsible for designing the Nicholson Institute and several other notable buildings in the town. The exterior features an ashlar ground floor and mock timber framing above with dormer windows. Inside, it retains its three-room layout, a mosaic floor in the porch and a number of coloured and leaded glass windows. The small bar on the left has a splendid carved and mirrored bar-back and a carved oak bar counter front - probably both original but the counter has a new top. The lounge on the right has been combined with the lobby area around the modern counter, but the fixed seating in the bay window is original, and has delicate panelling above. Rear-right is a small snug used for darts, with little furniture. The outside toilets are now covered-in.