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The Three Horse Shoes is the only public house in Leabrooks and has always been a central part of the community over the last 100 years or so, as shown in many early photographs.

At some point in the past the Three Horse Shoes was extended with a single storey extension to the front. A photograph shows the original building, prior to the extension, and is dated c.1920.

The first photograph below was taken when John Severn was landlord. Despite the name licence notice the door he is always referred to as James Severn. The Ripley & Heanor News of 13th August 1921 printed a short obituary: “The death took place, on Wednesday, of Mr. James Severn, landlord of the Greenhill Hotel, Greenhill lane, at the age 47 years. The deceased was native of Pinxton, and some years ago he emigrated to Canada and remained in the colony for several years. On returning to the Old Country he became licensee of the Three Horse Shoes, Leabrooks, and three years ago on the death of the late Mr. John Briddon he took over the Greenhill Hotel. For a number of years Mr. Severn represented the Swanwick Ward on the Belper Board of Guardians. He leaves a widow and two daughters. The funeral will take place at Pinxton to-day (Saturday).”

Unfortunately, it is difficult to confirm any date for the building of the Three Horse Shoes. Although beer house retailers are mentioned in the relevant trade directories, the Three Horse Shoes is not specifically named. A newspaper report of an inquest into the death of a collier named William Smith, aged 54 was printed in the Derbyshire Courier on 4th December 1869, but the landlord was not mentioned.

It is mentioned as the “Horse Shoes” in an article published in the Sheffield Independent newspaper on 19th March 1880, when the landlord hosted a Licensed Victuallers’ Association meeting. A further newspaper report published in the Derbyshire Courier on 25th May 1889 refers to a Coroner’s Inquest held on the premises relating to the death of a child. It was common to hold Inquests in public houses, close to where the death occurred and was one of many held at the Three Horse Shoes.

In 1890 the Public Health Act Amendment (Part IV) regulated “places ordinarily used for public dancing or music, or other public entertainment of the like kind…” which required all such places, “whether or not licenced for the sale of beer, wines and spirits”, to be regulated and registered. In 1896, the Alfreton Urban District Council (which had been created under the Local Government Act of 1894) adopted the Public Health Act Amendment of 1890 and required all public places which had music and dancing to apply for a licence. The Long Eaton Advertiser on 8th February 1896 reported on the applications received by the Alfreton Magistrates, who seemed, according to the report, unsure of the regulations themselves (for example, not only public houses were included in the Act, but also churches, church halls, theatres etc.) James Fryer, the landlord of the Three Horse Shoes at the time applied for a licence at the first licencing session at Alfreton, (as did the landlords of the Royal Tiger Inn, the Sun Inn, and the Rifle Volunteer Inn). The licences were all granted.

PHOTO'S:  The Three Horse Shoes, Leabrooks

Like most local public houses the Three Horse Shoes had a loyal and stable customer base. There were many meetings of different associations and unions, which took place in the Club Room, and various events were held for their clientele over the years. The Ripley & Heanor News on 12th June 1936 reported on an annual outing to Blackpool: “The Three Horse Shoes, Leabrooks held the annual outing on Saturday last to Blackpool, and an enjoyable day was spent. Travelling by road the journey was made by Via Gellia to Buxton and on to Warrington and Blackpool. The return was via Manchester and Stockport. The secreterial duties were carried out by Mr. W. Islip and Mr. F Barker was treasurer.”  Frederick Barker was landlord at the time.

Mr. Barker was still the landlord in 1939, when he successfully applied for the licence to sell wines “on and off the premises…” it would not be until 1955 though, that the landlord at the time, Frederick Tagg obtained a full licence.

The Three Horse Shoes is still open (2021).