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davieG

City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

By davieG, in General Chat

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boots60

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On 28/10/2024 at 08:35, davieG said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/highcross-unveils-plans-refurb-bland-9667121

 

Highcross unveils plans for refurb of 'bland' and 'out of place' entrances
The centre said the new designs would 'revitalise' the four entrances

ByBen Carr
08:07, 28 OCT 2024

An artist's impression of how the High Street could look
An artist's impression of how the High Street could look (Image: Highcross)
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Leicester's Highcross has revealed plans to change the look of its four city centre entrances. The shopping centre said the new designs would “revitalise” and “enhance its visibility”.

Taking inspiration from Leicester’s fashion and textiles history, the four entrances in East Gates, High Street, and New Bond Street could be reimagined to become “urban landmarks”, a spokesperson for the centre said. Planning documents submitted this month reveal that the main entrance in East Gates will take on a “curtain reveal” concept.

The entrance with the next highest footfall, High Street, will aim to replicate the look of a “red carpet” being unrolled, while the entrances in Church Gate and New Bond Street will be moulded to look like “folded pleats of a skirt”. Subject to approval, work could begin in Spring 2025.

The aim of redeveloped East Gates entrances is to look like a curtain reveal
The aim of redeveloped East Gates entrances is to look like a curtain reveal (Image: K.COOPER / Highcross)
Planning documents, prepared on behalf of Highcross, called the existing entrances “bland” with a presence that “fails to resonate with the city’s diverse urban fabric”. The canopy and signage of the East Gates entrance were called “unclear and inadequate”, which meant that it was “difficult to identify and navigate while competing with the surrounding heritage assets”, like nearby Grade II listed buildings.

Plans for the nearby High Street entrance revealed that Highcross wants to demolish the existing structure there, whereas “alterations” will be made to the other three entrances. Documents said the current signage, canopy and “entrance mall” made it “feel out of place compared to the architectural quality of the High Street”.

While the Church Gate entrance was described as currently having “a detrimental impact on the surrounding conservation area”. The New Bond Street gateway into the centre was said to “present a neutral / minor level of harm on the conservation area”.

The existing East Gates entrance was described as 'bland'
The existing East Gates entrance was described as 'bland' (Image: Google)
The redevelopment will be carried out in phases “so that shoppers will face minimal disruption”, a spokeswoman said, and is expected to take approximately six months to complete. Highcross said that all of the entrances are expected to be open, as normal, in time for the festive season in 2025.

Jeremy Lees, director at Savills, said the proposals were evidence of Highcross’ “commitment” to improving the experience of shoppers in the city. He said: “We’re thrilled to finally reveal our vision for the redevelopment of Highcross’ entrances.

“If approved, these plans are the first of a number of exciting developments set to take place at Highcross over the next 12-months, with more to be revealed in the near future. The plans are a demonstration of our commitment to continue to build on the shopping and leisure experience here in Leicester, while also working with important stakeholders to ensure that the city centre feels a safe and welcoming space that everyone can enjoy for many years to come.”

I love the pics of how things "could look"

Everything's peaceful, the sun always shines & there's never any litter.

davieG

davieG

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No photo description available.

 
The Co-Op Department Store, High Street, Leicester once the biggest Dept Store in Leicester. This building was combined retail store with headquarters of East Midlands Admin Offices on the floors above.
Alston Moor
Don’t forget the stables that were at the rear. 👌
davieG

davieG

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Rum Weather - Man about Town

 

May be a black-and-white image of 1 person

Leicester, this is a photo of “a gentleman of the road “. His name was John Massey & he tramped up & down Uppingham Road for over 20 years. His comments to passers-by was always “ Rum Weather today “. & this because his nickname. Photo taken in 1989. Rum Weather RIP.
davieG

davieG

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May be an image of 9 people and the Brandenburg Gate

Unveiling of the War Memorial at Victoria Park, 1925.
Credit: Leicester and Leicestershire Record Office.
Commemorating the sacrifice of the 9,348 men from Leicester and Leicestershire who lost their lives during the five years of conflict from the First World War.
Learn more about Leicester during the First World War, this #RemembranceSunday:
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davieG

davieG

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May be an image of castle and the Cotswolds

 
Place of interest.
Belvoir Castle
Leicestershire, England
Belvoir Castle is a stately home, the traditional seat of the Dukes of Rutland, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir. It is a Grade I listed building.
A corner of the castle is still used as the family home of the Manners family and remains the seat of the Dukes of Rutland, most of whom are buried in the grounds of the mausoleum there.
davieG

davieG

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No photo description available.

 
Town Hall Square circa 1920s
Town Hall Square circa 1920s! The stone structure you can see centre back is the temporary war memorial, dedicated to those from Leicester that lost their life in the First World War. It was replaced by the permanent ‘Arch of Remembrance’ memorial which is in Victoria Park.
Credit Story of Leicester
davieG

davieG

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May be an image of 4 people, seaplane and text

Leicester Airport during World War II.
Credit: Leicester Aero Club.
Leicester Airport was originally a World War II RAF airfield. Construction began in 1942, and it became operational in October 1943. The squadrons based there at various times were mainly engaged in transport, supply dropping and the movement of airborne troops. In May 1944 No. 107 Operational Training Unit was also formed at RAF Leicester East, to train transport and glider-tugging crews. All operational military aircraft left in March 1945, but it remained under RAF control on a ‘care and maintenance’ basis. It was closed in December 1947.
After the war, the airfield transitioned to civilian use, and in the 1950s it began to accommodate private flying and small commercial flights.
davieG

davieG

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1 hour ago, Wymsey said:

Whereabouts is that location in Glenfield; on the Gilroes Crematorium side?

It starts on Station Road Glenfield  / St Stephensons Ct. and travels in a Straight line and ends up, I believe within Stokeswood Park off Fosse Rd North near the 5 ways Junction. I don't now if you can see the exit point on the park.

 

There's chimneys to release smoke in the gardens of houses on Fairefield Crescent

 

image.thumb.png.474d53d730f6cf9797eea98718edd88d.png

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davieG

davieG

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May be a black-and-white image

 

Peter Taylor  · 49m  · 
 
 
Evans Weir on the Grand Union Canal Leicester .
Very popular at one time for fishing off.
This was taken in 1958, but I'm sure a lot of you have memories of the factories and Piggotts around this area too?
Parafox

Parafox

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11 minutes ago, davieG said:

May be a black-and-white image

 

Peter Taylor  · 49m  · 
 
 
Evans Weir on the Grand Union Canal Leicester .
Very popular at one time for fishing off.
This was taken in 1958, but I'm sure a lot of you have memories of the factories and Piggotts around this area too?

 

When I got my first proper job, I worked alongside one of Piggotts' sons in sales for DCE (Dust Control Equipment), a major manufacturer that used to be in Thurmaston. Unfortunately time has removed his name from my memory.

 

I do recall he had an Austin Riley and he occasionally used to take me with him to the Piggotts scrappy on Western Boulevard after work. That would have been around 1972. The yard was a fascinating place, lots of scrap  railway engines and cranes with huge magnets to pick up the metal. The smell of oil and rust and scrap. The filth and grime. Workers covered in dark, rusty metallic dust.

Edited by Parafox
davieG

davieG

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May be a black-and-white image of 2 people and street

Peter Taylor  · 2h  · 
 
 
Memories of Hutchinson Walk ( The Birdcage ) Leicester .
Hutchinson Walk is a public footpath in the Highfields area of Leicester that connects Swain Street to Hutchinson Street.
Many happy hours were spent here trainspotting by the locals .
davieG

davieG

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https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/road-closure-announced-busy-leicester-9704956

 

Road closure announced for busy Leicester shopping street
Diversions will be in place

ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
12:52, 16 NOV 2024

Enter your postcode for local news and info
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Granby Street, Leicester
A programme of work to revamp the street has been taking place (Image: Google)

A busy city centre shopping street is set to close to drivers from this weekend. A diversion warning is now in place to motorists intending to use Granby Street.

Leicester City Council has been carrying out a series of works in the road to widen pavements and create more space for pedestrians. Now, the next phase of that is set to begin on Sunday (November 17).

The project will see the street shut between its junctions with Dover Street and Belvoir/Rutland Street to allow it to be resurfaced. Diversions for drivers will be signposted throughout the works.

 

The roadworks, which are expected to be in place for up to a week, are part of ongoing investment in Granby Street which also includes the restoration of the Grand Hotel and its shopfronts. The former pay and display parking bays in the street – which have been out of use for three years – have also been converted into footpaths with additional space for street cafés.

Additional on-street parking bays have been created on nearby Chatham Street, York Street and Calais Street to replace those lost on Granby Street, the council said. A final phase of work – currently planned for early next year – will permanently close the junction of Dover Street and Granby Street to traffic, which the local authority said would “help further improve pedestrian safety”. A new turning facility on Dover Street will be created to ensure that vehicles can continue to access nearby businesses and attractions, including The Little Theatre.

Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “Granby Street is an important gateway into the city centre and a busy shopping street. These ongoing improvements will help create a more attractive route for walkers, wheelers and cyclists with more space for shoppers and café-style seating. Alongside the major heritage led investment in restoring landmark buildings, this work will help make Granby Street feel safer and more welcoming to all.”

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