The Waterside is a historic bargee inn. The River Soar became navigable between Loughborough and Leicester in 1794. The inn was constructed in 1795. Until 1965 it was called the Duke of York. It was known locally as ‘The Lock’.
On Tuesday 21st July 1846 the anniversary of the Loyal Rock Lodge was held at brother Jelley’s, Duke of York, Mountsorrel, when one hundred sat down to tea. At three o’clock, they walked to the old church, where the Rev. T. Pruen gave a suitable address. The Mountsorrel band attended and gave satisfaction. And in 1855 the Female Friendly Sick Society held their anniversary tea meeting at Host Joseph Jelly’s, Duke of York Inn, when excellent tea was provided on the occasion.
In the 1840’s the landlord of the Duke of York was Joseph Jelly. The Jelly family remained landlords for almost 30 years. The pub itself was owned by the Kirk family. After the death of John and Z.D. Kirk it was put up for sale in 1869
All that commodious old licensed PUBLIC HOUSE, called the Duke of York, adjoining the canal lock, with stabling for 12 horses, coach house, piggeries, and numerous offices, with garden and orchard, in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Jelly.
It was put up for sale again in 1881
The Licensed-premises are well placed near to the celebrated Granite Quarries, which over 1000 men are employed ; and a great amount of traffic by the road and by canal passes the door daily. ‘The House contains good entrance, tap room, bar parlour, kitchen, scullery, two cellars, large club room, sitting room, four bed rooms, two attics, large yard and garden, a skittle alley, stabling for twelve horses, with chamber over, piggery, coal house and poultry run.
In the 1920s it was owned by Herbert Lake and run by his son, also called Herbert.
The pub was nearly demolished at one time according to a newspaper article.
Sileby Road is to be rerouted at Mountsorrel to avoid the bottleneck at the Waterside Inn cost of £92000. Talks over buying the land are to start the highways committee told the County Council. Inferior alignment and narrowness of the road is the reason for the project. It would mean demolition of the Waterside Inn and other property including a boatyard. It would also mean building a viaduct to span the Soar and Mountsorrel Lock
In 1965, when it was purchased by Everards, it still had the piggery and stables. It was refurbished at a cost of £10,000, and this included converting the stables into a restaurant.
At the official opening the beer was delivered by air and water. Captain Everard, accompanied by his 78-year-old mother Lady Ione Everard, brought some beer by helicopter, which he flew himself. The rest of the beer was delivered from Leicester by narrow boats.
Captain Anthony Everard is on the left
After the opening guests enjoyed a trip to Barrow deep lock in the boats.