A historic Leicester pub with roots stretching back to Victorian Britain has officially reopened its doors following a major six-figure refurbishment.
The Hansom Cab, on Humberstone Gate in Leicester, welcomed customers back last Friday 13th February after a transformational investment of more than £283,757.
Picture credit: Proper Pubs
The pub takes its name from the iconic horse-drawn hansom cab, first patented in 1834 by architect Joseph Hansom. Born in Hinckley, Leicestershire, Hansom designed the lightweight two-wheeled carriage to provide faster, safer urban transport. The hansom cab became a defining feature of Victorian cities, particularly London, symbolising innovation during the industrial age. Its strong Leicestershire connection makes the pub’s name especially fitting for the city.
The Hansom Cab is part of Proper Pubs, the award-winning community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, which operates more than 200 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.
At the helm is experienced operator Luke Charlton, who brings more than 17 years in the licensed trade and a passion for community-led hospitality. He is aiming to re-establish The Hansom Cab as a lively and welcoming social hub for local residents.
The refurbishment has delivered a complete interior transformation, including new flooring, fixtures, fittings and furniture throughout, as well as multiple flat-screen televisions. A brand-new main bar and snug area have also been installed to create comfortable spaces for customers to gather.
Externally, the pub now features new lighting and signage, while a refurbished garden area with seating for between eight and 10 people provides additional outdoor space.
The drinks menu includes a range of weekly promotions, such as Wine Wednesday, offering £2 off a bottle, and Fizz Friday, with bottles of fizz available for £10. Customers can also enjoy cocktails, bottle deals and shot offers throughout the week.
Speaking about the reopening, Luke Charlton said: “I am thrilled to be taking over The Hansom Cab and have loved seeing the incredible transformation come to life over the past few weeks. The pub is already looking fantastic, and I am really looking forward to welcoming back customers, both old and new.”
Entertainment is set to play a central role in the pub’s new chapter, with live music every Friday from 7pm followed by karaoke from 9pm. Beyond the social calendar, Luke has pledged to support the wider community by organising food collections for the local foodbank and raising funds to install a life-saving defibrillator at the pub. He also plans to back additional local causes in the months ahead.
Nikki Greenhalgh, Operations Director for Proper Pubs, said: “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Luke to The Hansom Cab and it’s great to see how well the refurbishment has come together.
“On behalf of myself and the whole Proper Pubs team, we would like to wish Luke the very best of luck in his endeavours at The Hansom Cab – it’s great to have him on board.”
