City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agen

 

A Leicester shop that generations of families will remember…

Robotham’s Baby Kingdom on Belvoir Street was once a familiar name in Leicester.

This photograph captures the shop during its final years, with prams, baby clothes and children’s essentials filling the windows.

The store closed in 1973, after becoming part of everyday life for countless Leicester families. One of the most fascinating details is that the manager, Mrs Vera Aucott, had worked there for an incredible 49 years.

For some Leicester families, this wasn’t just a shop. It was where they bought their first pram, their children’s shoes, dolls and outfits.

Did your family ever shop at Robotham’s?

Belvoir Street, Leicester

Robotham’s Baby Kingdom

Closed in 1973

#Leicester #LeicesterHistory #OldLeicester #LeicesterMemories #BelvoirStreet #LeicesterShops #LeicesterThenAndNow #Nostalgia #LostLeicester #LeicesterLife

 

[davieG]

[davieG]

[Trav Le Bleu]

On 05/10/2026 at 09:38, davieG said:

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agen

 

A Leicester shop that generations of families will remember…

Robotham’s Baby Kingdom on Belvoir Street was once a familiar name in Leicester.

This photograph captures the shop during its final years, with prams, baby clothes and children’s essentials filling the windows.

The store closed in 1973, after becoming part of everyday life for countless Leicester families. One of the most fascinating details is that the manager, Mrs Vera Aucott, had worked there for an incredible 49 years.

For some Leicester families, this wasn’t just a shop. It was where they bought their first pram, their children’s shoes, dolls and outfits.

Did your family ever shop at Robotham’s?

Belvoir Street, Leicester

Robotham’s Baby Kingdom

Closed in 1973

#Leicester #LeicesterHistory #OldLeicester #LeicesterMemories #BelvoirStreet #LeicesterShops #LeicesterThenAndNow #Nostalgia #LostLeicester #LeicesterLife

 

I'm not surprised that Baby Kingdom isn't around anymore. Using robots to turn babies into ham is vile!

[davieG]

On 04/10/2026 at 15:23, Free Falling Foxes said:

Too young to remember it, but there is a photograph of myself aged about 12 months being helped by our then next-door-neighbour to paddle my feet in the water at that lido.

It would be great to have such a resource now.

Another pic of Kenwood

 

[DJW1]

23 hours ago, davieG said:

Where is/was that building?

Those kinds of places were often elegant buildings set in landscaped grounds, like the one in St. Albans that I visited a couple of times (to play cricket)

[davieG]

10 minutes ago, DJW1 said:

Where is/was that building?

Those kinds of places were often elegant buildings set in landscaped grounds, like the one in St. Albans that I visited a couple of times (to play cricket)

 

One of the few historic buildings that survived

 

AI

 

Towers Hospital in Leicester was a historic psychiatric facility in Humberstone that permanently closed in April 2013. [1]

 

History and Timeline

• Opened (1869): Founded as the Leicester Borough Lunatic Asylum on a 30-acre site designed by Edward Loney Stephens. [1, 2]

• Renamed (1920s - 1947): Known as the Leicester City Mental Hospital before officially becoming the Towers Hospital upon joining the NHS in 1948. [1]

• Operations: Operated as a self-sufficient community with its own working farm and workshops where patients took part in outdoor treatment. [1, 2]

• Closure (2013): Services wound down over decades as care shifted into the community and general hospitals, leading to final closure. [1, 2]

 

Current Site Status

• Redvelopment: The Grade II listed Former Towers Hospital main buildings have been converted into residential apartments. [1, 2]

• Towers Park: The former hospital grounds now serve as public open space known as Towers Park. [1, 2]

• Historical Records: Official archives and administrative documents detailing the hospital's history from 1869 to 1989 are preserved via The National Archives. [1]

 

 

 

 

[Jon the Hat]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

 

One of the few historic buildings that survived

 

AI

 

Towers Hospital in Leicester was a historic psychiatric facility in Humberstone that permanently closed in April 2013. [1]

 

History and Timeline

• Opened (1869): Founded as the Leicester Borough Lunatic Asylum on a 30-acre site designed by Edward Loney Stephens. [1, 2]

• Renamed (1920s - 1947): Known as the Leicester City Mental Hospital before officially becoming the Towers Hospital upon joining the NHS in 1948. [1]

• Operations: Operated as a self-sufficient community with its own working farm and workshops where patients took part in outdoor treatment. [1, 2]

• Closure (2013): Services wound down over decades as care shifted into the community and general hospitals, leading to final closure. [1, 2]

 

Current Site Status

• Redvelopment: The Grade II listed Former Towers Hospital main buildings have been converted into residential apartments. [1, 2]

• Towers Park: The former hospital grounds now serve as public open space known as Towers Park. [1, 2]

• Historical Records: Official archives and administrative documents detailing the hospital's history from 1869 to 1989 are preserved via The National Archives. [1]

 

 

 

 

A number of these closed at about the right time to be redeveloped instead of knocked down.  10 years earlier they might have been doomed.  

[davieG]

2 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

A number of these closed at about the right time to be redeveloped instead of knocked down.  10 years earlier they might have been doomed.  

Like the Hillcrest Hospital near Swain Street Bridge would have made some great apartments a stroll into town or the station.

[davieG]

Leicester looked so different in 1951…

This incredible view of Narborough Road at the Braunstone Gate junction captures a Leicester that feels worlds away from today.

From the old buildings and shopfronts to the street furniture, trees and everyday activity, there are so many little details to spot in this photograph.

Narborough Road, Braunstone Gate, Leicester
1951

 

 

Underground toilet - I can't imagine how bad they'd be if the still existed with today's level of vandalism