A blue plaque has been unveiled in Groby to honour William Everard, the co-founder of the Everards brewery and pub business. The plaque has been installed at the Stamford Arms as part of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council's Blue Plaque Scheme, which recognises notable people connected to the borough's buildings and communities.
William Everard, a Groby-born farmer, founded Everards alongside maltster Thomas Hull in 1849. The business went on to become one of Leicestershire's best-known brewery and pub companies. The Stamford Arms has strong links to the Everard family. William was born and lived there, while his son Thomas later acquired the pub in 1921.
The plaque was installed following a nomination from local historian Greg Drozdz, who researched William Everard's connection to the village. Councillor Paul Williams, the council's Heritage Champion, said he was delighted to see William Everard recognised through the scheme. Mr Drozdz said he became aware of Everard's links to Groby during a brewery tour and felt his contribution to the area's history deserved recognition.
William Everard joins other local brewers already commemorated with blue plaques, including William Bass, William Butler and William Worthington. Julian Everard, chairman of Everards and a sixth-generation family member involved in the business, said he was proud to see the company's founder honoured in his home village.
