City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[DJW1]

On 22/03/2026 at 10:51, Trav Le Bleu said:

Can you imagine anyone building a shop with such flair today? (Can you imagine anyone building a shop!?) Just boxes on boxes.

 

Banks, cinemas, hospitals, schools, all built with artistic design. Not now - just four walls and a ceiling.

 

When did we lose pride in our work?

In many cities you can spot buildings of that style (Art Deco?) (often former CO-OP dept. stores) from the 20s and 30s. As you say, new buildings tend to be just functional but not attractive.

[davieG]

On 13/03/2026 at 19:27, davieG said:

Not sure ripping out the original stairs and balcony in a museum is something to brag about.

 

 

Story of Leicester

 

New exhibition 'You Are Here' tells the story of the evolution of Leicester Museum & Art Gallery over the past 176 years. Go on a journey through time and explore the story of the New Walk Area and the Museum.

Did you visit 'New Walk Museum' when you were younger? Tell us what you remember about the Museum or any fond memories, and your comment might feature in the exhibition itself!

The exhibition is now open:

Went with the stairs

 

 

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent is at New Walk Museum.

 

Inside New Walk Museum in 1931 — and right at the centre of it all was this incredible indoor fish pond. Surrounded by exhibits and carefully placed plants, it must have been a calm, almost unexpected feature for visitors exploring the galleries.

The pond remained here for decades before disappearing during the major refurbishment in the late 1970s, when the museum layout was completely redesigned and two new floors were added.

It’s hard to picture today… a peaceful pool of fish right inside the museum. Do you remember seeing it before it was removed? #Leicester #NewWalkMuseum #Throwback

[davieG]

Bradgate Park Trust
 ·
🗝Opening Soon🗝

Bradgate House ruins will reopen to the public next week on Wednesday, 1st April, from 11am to 3pm.

You are welcome to come and explore the remains of Bradgate House and to see the progress that’s been made to conserve and preserve it for the future.

There’s still more to do, but we’re delighted to open back up for another season!

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble 

Demolition of the Great Central Bridge Northgate.

Imagine trying to get planning permission to build something like that today.

 

[davieG]

 

Mowmacre Hill 1950 to 1970  · 

Gaynor Hillman 

A great pic, how I remember it as a child. My Grandparents lived on Astill Drive

 

[Paninistickers]

21 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

Mowmacre Hill 1950 to 1970  · 

Gaynor Hillman 

A great pic, how I remember it as a child. My Grandparents lived on Astill Drive

 

Anybody ever call it mow-maker hill? Or is everyone mow-aker? 

[davieG]

Leicester Memories

Nigel Tout ·

These two photographs are from the same spot on Soar Lane in Leicester, at the back of the Great Central Railway viaduct. The black & white photograph is from 1965, taken with a standard lens, and shows the railway lifting bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson, over the canal which is now at the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre. The colour photograph is the same view taken 2 weeks ago and is with a very wide angle lens and shows the newly built dwellings. Remaining in the canal is the guard to protect the part of the bridge structure which did not raise and guide boats through the raised opening. More information about the now much travelled lifting bridge is at http://www.nigeltout.com/.../the-stephenson-lifting...

[Trav Le Bleu]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

Leicester Memories

Nigel Tout ·

These two photographs are from the same spot on Soar Lane in Leicester, at the back of the Great Central Railway viaduct. The black & white photograph is from 1965, taken with a standard lens, and shows the railway lifting bridge, designed by Robert Stephenson, over the canal which is now at the Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre. The colour photograph is the same view taken 2 weeks ago and is with a very wide angle lens and shows the newly built dwellings. Remaining in the canal is the guard to protect the part of the bridge structure which did not raise and guide boats through the raised opening. More information about the now much travelled lifting bridge is at http://www.nigeltout.com/.../the-stephenson-lifting...

For a second I thought the linked website had been founded by someone unimpressed with our former manager's, Mr Pearson, time in charge.

[Free Falling Foxes]

Not good but historic, Last Irish shop to close.

[davieG]

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent

Leicester, March 1972 — and a skyline dominated by industry. Taken on Almond Road looking towards Aylestone Road, this view captures a time when power station chimneys and cooling towers loomed large over the city.

To the right sits the area near Freeman’s Park, once home to the old cattle market — another reminder of how different this part of Leicester used to be.

Today, much of this scene has completely changed… but for those who remember it, this was just everyday life. Do you recognise this view? #Leicester

[davieG]

!973

Another fine building demolished

[davieG]

Leicester Belgrave Road, 18th May 1963

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble ·

 

[davieG]

 

Made In Leicester

Old Time Booklets 

Leicester Lido

[davieG]

[davieG]

Leicester Market in the 1950s — and it didn’t just sit in one place… it spread out across the surrounding streets, packed with stalls and people.

This is market life at full capacity. Traders, shoppers, noise, movement — a proper hive of activity. In the distance, you can spot the old Fish Market building, while the Corn Exchange stands nearby as a familiar landmark.

It’s a world away from how the market looks today. Can you imagine it this busy? #Leicester

[davieG]

Joanne Vigor-Mungovin - Author Hidden Leicester ·

Follow

 

 

#OTD 17th of April 1817, six individuals who were part of the Luddite movement were sentenced to death and subsequently hanged "on the new drop" in Infirmary Square for their involvement in breaking machines at Heathcote and Boden's factory in Loughborough.

The six brave and valiant men, William Withers, Thomas Savage, John Amos, Jos Mitchell, John Crowther and Rodney Towles, selflessly sacrificed their lives and met their tragic demise.

According to the Leicester Journal, at exactly 12 o'clock in the afternoon, a group of young men, described as "fine looking" and in the peak of their youth, health, and strength, were escorted out of the Leicester County Bridewell.

As a sign of their unwavering support and solidarity, a large and compassionate gathering of approximately 15,000 individuals had assembled to witness the execution of the condemned men, joining them in song and hymns as they made their solemn march towards the gallows.

 

 

[Grebfromgrebland]

The luddites were probably right in the end

[Free Falling Foxes]

New flats approved.

Although it is good to see a brown field site being used, I recall that when the nearby flats above the Lidl store were completed, a Councillor who approved that development initially, regretted his decision. He said he now appreciated the local objections, one of which was regarding the flats over looking existing homes.

Now though, once one tall building is approved, it no longer prevents this type of development. In fact, it even accelerates the building of others.

[davieG]

[Stadt]

42 minutes ago, davieG said:

There's been a hell of a lot of retrograde development but this possibly the worst. The Haymarket the only contender

[Warks_Mackem]

I’m always on the lookout for nice walks, especially around historical sites. I live not too far away from Bosworth Battlefield so I’ve been round there a fair few times.

 

If anyone has any other recommendations for Leicestershire or North Warwickshire I’d be really grateful.

[davieG]

 

 

Dan Hunt

East Midlands

Published

23 April 2026, 06:13 BST

Plans to redevelop a former dance hall in Leicester city centre that has been empty for about a decade have been given the go ahead.

Leicester City Council has approved a planning application to convert the former site of the Palais De Danse in Humberstone Gate into an extension of the neighbouring Bee supermarket, three shops, a cafe and a restaurant.

According to planning documents the former hall was a "prominent" venue in the 1960s, 70s and 80s with the space having since been occupied by different nightclubs.

A report submitted by the applicant stated the site was "derelict" and the proposal would help the regeneration of the area.

'More attractive'

"Clearly, the site is in a poor state of repair. Its failing facias, failing render and broken signage are a stark reminder that this popular venue has been vacant and derelict for many years," the report adds.

A council report details a planning application to partially demolish the site and build a block of flats six storeys tall at its highest point was approved in 2018, however this was not implemented.

The applicant Mr H Faraj added in a report the proposed development would increase daytime activity at the site, and would create a building that was "capable" of responding to future changes in demand.

"Overall, the scheme represents a positive step in the on-going regeneration of the area, delivering a more attractive, functional and accessible building that contributes to the vitality of the city centre and enhances the experience of those who live, work and visit the area," the report states.

[Parafox]

On 23/04/2026 at 05:36, Warks_Mackem said:

I’m always on the lookout for nice walks, especially around historical sites. I live not too far away from Bosworth Battlefield so I’ve been round there a fair few times.

 

If anyone has any other recommendations for Leicestershire or North Warwickshire I’d be really grateful.

I'm not sure how far you'd travel but Wall, just north of Tamworth is a quiet, small Roman ruins site and has a walking route beyond the site itself.

[davieG]