Bloody gutted. That's the only way to describe how I felt when I heard The Counting House had shut its doors for good. Been going there since 2011 - back when Leicester City weren't even in teh Premier League yet. Now it's just... gone.
When Your Pre-Match Ritual Suddenly Disappears
The legendary boozer was literally a stone's throw from Leicester City's King Power Stadium. I mean, you could practically hear the crowd roar from the beer garden. For 18 years, this Grade II-listed gem served as the pre-match watering hole for both football and rugby fans, sitting perfectly between the Foxes' home ground and Leicester Tigers' Welford Road stadium.
And now? Empty. Shuttered. Another casualty in the seemingly endless parade of British pub closures.
What the hell happened?
No warning. No farewell party. Just suddenly closed. My mate Dave texted me last Thursday: "Counting House gone. Where we meeting Saturday?" I thought he was winding me up.
WTS Commercial confirmed it wasn't some sick joke - they're already advertising the property. The sprawling site sits on 0.38 acres with seating for 110 people, its own parking lot, and even living accommodation. Back in 2019, I actually crashed on the sofa there when the manager was my cousin's roommate. (Spent £75 on drinks to "pay rent" - worst hangover of my life).
The Clock Tower That Watched Us Celebrate
If you've ever been, you know that distinctive clock tower. How many times did I stare up at that thing, checking if we had time for "just one more" before kickoff?
The property listing describes it as "a large single-storey Grade II listed detached property of brick construction beneath various pitched and hipped roofs with a tall clock tower." Sounds so clinical for a place that held so many memories.
Listen. This wasn't just any pub. This was THE pub for matchday.
Perfect Location That's Now Just... Empty
The location was absolutely perfect. Next to Morrisons for your pre-match snacks, Nando's when you fancied something other than pub grub, Maccies for the post-match munchies, and the Odeon for when your team lost so badly you needed to escape into a film instead of going home to face reality.
I remember in 2016, during Leicester's miracle title run, you couldn't move in there. Shoulder to shoulder with strangers who became friends over the shared disbelief that our little club was actually going to win the Premier League.
Now it's up for rent or sale. The future uncertain.
Double Relegation - Team and Pub
The timing couldn't be more symbolic. As The Counting House closes after 18 years, Leicester City have confirmed their relegation from the Premier League - their second drop in three years.
Hard to believe it's been less than a decade since we won the Premier League title adn the FA Cup. Now we're heading back to the Championship with our favorite pre-match pub shuttered.
Poor Leicester fans. Talk about kicking us while we're down.
Just Another Statistic in Britain's Pub Crisis
The Counting House isn't alone in its fate. Approximately six pubs close every week in this country. That's around 4,500 jobs gone last year alone, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.
I paid £6.80 for a pint in London last weekend. SIX EIGHTY! And we wonder why pubs are struggling? Between energy bills skyrocketing, the minimum wage increase (which I support, by the way), and higher National Insurance contributions coming in April, it's a perfect storm.
Employers now pay NICs for most workers earning more than £9,100 annually. Add in the mortgage crisis and rent increases, and you've got fewer people with disposable income to spend on pints.
End of an Era
I walked past yesterday. Windows already papered over. Felt like seeing an old friend's house after they've moved away.
Where will we go now before matches? Probably one of those soulless chain pubs with no history, no character, and bartenders who don't know your name or usual order.
18 years of memories. Gone just like that.
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Statistics
- The average cost of raising a child in the U.S. is estimated to be around $233,610, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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