The County Arms was designed by Pick, Everard, Keay and Gimson in 1936-8 and it is included in Buildings of England, Leicestershire and Rutland, by Nikolaus Pevsner, Penguin Books 1960. The tower was used to house the air raid siren during 1939-1945.
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During the 60s/70s it was a leading music venue - famous names who played there included The Farinas who were destined to become Leicester legends, Family and a pre Deep Purple Jon Lord and future Queen bassist John Deacon. In the 70s The Arms was the home of Leicester Jazz Society. It was also where Kev H of The Soar Valley Wayfarers had his first legal pint on his 18th birthday!
Thank you for the extra information Kev!
Another bit of history sent by Brian of Cosby -
Blues legend John Lee Hooker once played the County Arms in the 1960's - I was the bass player in the no name support band. John Lee's backing band were Julian Covay and the MAchine. The band I played in ended up being banned from the County Arms - it was the fashion of the time to let off smoke bombs during the fianl number, and our very short - sighted manager set then off under the curtains at the back of the stage, thus setting fire to the curtains. Happy days.