Around 200 years ago there was a pub called the White Lion or Old White Lion standing on the corner of Wicker and Nursery Street.
In 1825 a New White Lion was built just a few yards away round the corner on Wicker. Shortly after afterwards the Old White Lion was demolished and was later replaced with a much larger establishment more in keeping with the grand buildings of the area. This was clled The Black Lion, but its name was later changed to The Lion Hotel.
It is likely that this was originally a Birks house, becoming a Gilmour's house after a takeover. Eventually it fell into the hands of Tetley's after they took over Duncan Gilmour in the 1950's.
The Lion closed in the mid 1980s and became a boarding house. It has recently had a much needed face lift.