The property forming the endowment included the oldest portion of The Flying Horse in The Poultry.

A figure of Napoleon had been brought from London by coach, and this was burned in the Market Place amidst scenes of excitement and rejoicing.

On Thursday 24 November 1977 Richard Branson, with John Mortimer, Johnny Rotten and entourage, visited the pub to celebrate Virgin Records being found not guilty at Nottingham Magistrates Court of charges relating to the promotion of The Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks album.

A promo poster for the album had been displayed in the Virgin Record Store at 7 Kings Street, Nottingham, when complaints over the word 'bollocks' led the police to visit the shop on 9 November.

After failing to comply with a request to remove the poster, the shop manager, Chris Serle, had been summoned to appear.