City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[Free Falling Foxes]

Double post

Edited 5 July by Free Falling Foxes

[davieG]

[davieG]

Hartopp Road

 

Between Clarendon Park Road and Victoria Park Road.

[davieG]

 

BR: Disused Railway Stations: UK and Ireland  · 

Alan Young 

 

THURNBY & SCRAPTOFT in Leicestershire was on the line between Leicester (Belgrave Road), John o'Gaunt, and Melton Mowbray. This photograph from my collection was taken by M Taylor in July 1962 from an excursion train. Regular passenger services on this route ended in December 1953, but a workmen's service of one train from John o'Gaunt to Leicester in the morning and a return train at the end of the working day was included in the passenger timetable until April 1957, and summer Saturday and Sunday services to east coast seaside resorts were advertised until September 1962. Goods services ended in June 1964.

[davieG]

Your Leicester is at Leicester's Cultural Quarter. ·

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Leicester’s Cultural Quarter extension unlocked!

A massive new property deal has just been finalised to bring major business space back into the heart of Leicester! A complex land exchange has officially been signed off to unlock the Midland Street Commercial Scheme.

This project is central to the city’s 10-year masterplan to deliver up to 215,000 sq ft of major new office and workspace right near the Phoenix Cinema.

Note: If you love the local venues here (like the legendary Soundhouse on the right!), don’t panic! The project specifically targets a nearby cleared, derelict former garage plot, not the active local businesses.

What else is changing? Securing this land deal triggers key public funding to build a brand-new, tree-lined pedestrian and cycle path cutting straight past this view, linking the Railway Station directly into the Cultural Quarter.

Over to you: Do you think building a dedicated hub for corporate jobs right next to the station is what the city center needs next? Let’s talk below!

[davieG]

 

New live music venue hopes for former board game cafe in Leicester city centre

The unit could stay open until 4am if plans are approved

 

News

Dylan Hayward Reporter

06:00, 12 Jul 2026

View Image

The unit was previously occupied by a board gaming cafe

An empty unit in Leicester city centre could be given a new lease of life as a late-night entertainment venue.

Generic Leisure Ltd has lodged an application seeking a licence for indoor sports events, plays, films, and live and recorded music at the site at 22 Silver Street.

The application also covers late-night refreshment and the sale of alcohol on the premises. If given the green light, the venue would be permitted to open its doors from 10am right through until 4am, seven days a week.

It's the latest twist for a unit that has stood empty since it was last home to Bean Gaming, which went into liquidation and was dissolved in September 2024.

Documents submitted to Leicester City Council confirm the licensing application is now open for public consultation.

Anyone wishing to have their say on the plans has until Wednesday, July 22 to do so. Representations must be submitted in writing to the Licensing Officer at City Hall within 28 days of the date of the application.

For those wanting to dig into the detail, the register and application can be inspected at the Customer Service Centre on Granby Street.

Further details on how to make a valid representation are available on the council's website or from the Licensing Team on 0116 454 3030.

[HighPeakFox]

I performed in St Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray last night. What a stunning building and a lovely part of the county.

[Free Falling Foxes]

15 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

I performed in St Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray last night. What a stunning building and a lovely part of the county.

Choir?

I adore choral singing.

Once auditioned for the school choir but was rejected as soon as I opened my mouth. 

[HighPeakFox]

47 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Choir?

I adore choral singing.

Once auditioned for the school choir but was rejected as soon as I opened my mouth. 

No, it was a candlelit concert, a string trio rendition of Coldplay. I am a cellist.

[davieG]

Not a good thing for me.

 

You can't keep building on leisure facilities and ruining successfully run businesses. 

 

Paul Hartshorn

 

 

 

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗯𝘆

I am incredibly disappointed that the Planning Inspector has decided to allow the appeal for the proposed development at Blaby Golf Centre, overturning Blaby District Council's decision to refuse planning permission.

The outline application approves the redevelopment of the site for up to 200 homes, the demolition of the existing buildings, the relocation of existing businesses and the creation of new open space.

In reaching his decision, the Inspector concluded that Blaby District Council's severe housing land supply shortfall of just 2.78 years meant that the pressing need for new homes outweighed the loss of the golf centre and its recreational facilities. He also concluded that the economic benefits of new housing and future employment opportunities would offset the loss of the existing businesses on the site.

I understand how planning policy has led to that conclusion, but I fundamentally disagree with it.
Blaby Golf Centre is far more than just a golf course. It is a thriving family-run business that has served our community for nearly four decades. It provides jobs, supports a number of successful local businesses, offers opportunities for young people, and is a place where families, schools, community groups and people of all ages come together to enjoy sport, recreation and friendship.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆

This decision represents the loss of an important part of our Green Wedge; open land that helps preserve the character and identity of Blaby.

𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻, 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱

I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood up for Blaby throughout this process. To the residents who attended meetings, signed petitions, submitted objections and spoke so passionately at the inquiry. Your commitment to our village was truly inspiring.

I would also like to thank the planning officers at Blaby District Council. They worked tirelessly, professionally and diligently in presenting the Council's case and defending the reasons for refusal. Although the outcome has not gone the way we had hoped, their hard work and dedication should be recognised.

I was proud to stand alongside so many people and speak on behalf of our community. Whilst we have not achieved the result we wanted, I remain committed to standing up for Blaby and ensuring that local voices continue to be heard.

We have lost more than a golf course. We have lost a valued community asset that has been at the heart of village life here for generations.

[Zear0]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

Not a good thing for me.

 

You can't keep building on leisure facilities and ruining successfully run businesses. 

 

Paul Hartshorn

 

 

 

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗯𝘆

I am incredibly disappointed that the Planning Inspector has decided to allow the appeal for the proposed development at Blaby Golf Centre, overturning Blaby District Council's decision to refuse planning permission.

The outline application approves the redevelopment of the site for up to 200 homes, the demolition of the existing buildings, the relocation of existing businesses and the creation of new open space.

In reaching his decision, the Inspector concluded that Blaby District Council's severe housing land supply shortfall of just 2.78 years meant that the pressing need for new homes outweighed the loss of the golf centre and its recreational facilities. He also concluded that the economic benefits of new housing and future employment opportunities would offset the loss of the existing businesses on the site.

I understand how planning policy has led to that conclusion, but I fundamentally disagree with it.
Blaby Golf Centre is far more than just a golf course. It is a thriving family-run business that has served our community for nearly four decades. It provides jobs, supports a number of successful local businesses, offers opportunities for young people, and is a place where families, schools, community groups and people of all ages come together to enjoy sport, recreation and friendship.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆

This decision represents the loss of an important part of our Green Wedge; open land that helps preserve the character and identity of Blaby.

𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻, 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱

I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood up for Blaby throughout this process. To the residents who attended meetings, signed petitions, submitted objections and spoke so passionately at the inquiry. Your commitment to our village was truly inspiring.

I would also like to thank the planning officers at Blaby District Council. They worked tirelessly, professionally and diligently in presenting the Council's case and defending the reasons for refusal. Although the outcome has not gone the way we had hoped, their hard work and dedication should be recognised.

I was proud to stand alongside so many people and speak on behalf of our community. Whilst we have not achieved the result we wanted, I remain committed to standing up for Blaby and ensuring that local voices continue to be heard.

We have lost more than a golf course. We have lost a valued community asset that has been at the heart of village life here for generations.

Even worse that this was overturned by central government. Devolution in action…

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, Zear0 said:

Even worse that this was overturned by central government. Devolution in action…

And you can't fight them because the councils have no money and Central Government can spend what it likes with it's deep public funded pockets.

[Wymsey]

A good idea in the long-run or not?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdej15ppn6do

 

[davieG]

49 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

A good idea in the long-run or not?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdej15ppn6do

 

Depends on the decision but if it's the City expansion expect a lot of anger and  turmoil by those district forced under the control of the City and Soulsby.

I suspect that's what we'll end up with considering it's a Labour dominated city and a Labour government although there's a good bet at the next election it might not be could open the gates to Reform.

[kenny]

4 minutes ago, davieG said:

Depends on the decision but if it's the City expansion expect a lot of anger and  turmoil by those district forced under the control of the City and Soulsby.

I suspect that's what we'll end up with considering it's a Labour dominated city and a Labour government although there's a good bet at the next election it might not be could open the gates to Reform.

It is interesting that the results of the consultation have not been made public. Presumably this will not support the City Council plan at all hence it being kept quiet.

 

The district plan of splitting the county in 3 not 2 makes the most sense for me.

[Free Falling Foxes]

20 hours ago, Zear0 said:

Even worse that this was overturned by central government. Devolution in action…

It seems to me that this happens all the time.

Application for a development is made that gets refused by the relevant local authorities, so the builder just goes to the government and then gets the green light.

Yet still, brown field sites continue to be ignored for housing development.

[Free Falling Foxes]

1 hour ago, kenny said:

It is interesting that the results of the consultation have not been made public. Presumably this will not support the City Council plan at all hence it being kept quiet.

 

The district plan of splitting the county in 3 not 2 makes the most sense for me.

I believe a councillor funded his own referendum on this and a massive majority did not wish to fall under the city council.

Democracy in action.