City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

 

 

 

Leicester Memories

Andy Tucker  ·

Roman Remains unearthed. Kings Richards Road, 1979.

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester  · 

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A view of Leicester's St Margaret's bus station and surrounding area in 1967

[davieG]

Born and Raised in Leicester

 

Belgrave Gate 1965

[davieG]

 

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor  

The Palace Theatre Belgrave Gate , seen here from Bread Street opposite . Now sadly both gone to demolition . 1960 .

[Guest WarehamFox]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

 

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor  

The Palace Theatre Belgrave Gate , seen here from Bread Street opposite . Now sadly both gone to demolition . 1960 .

What a great picture. davieG I always wait for your posts on this thread  

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/biggest-leicester-leicestershire-developments-approved-9773155

 

The biggest Leicester and Leicestershire developments approved this year
One decision was met with shouts of 'that's a disgrace'

ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
14:24, 28 DEC 2024

 

From a hugely controversial logistics hub to thousands of new homes, these are some of the biggest developments given the go ahead this year. Our towns, villages and city are constantly evolving.

New homes are built, businesses created and outdated buildings are torn down or redeveloped to play a new role in our communities – and our local councils play a key role in this process. They decide where developments can and cannot take place.

Their decisions are not always popular, however, as communities often fear major upheaval from proposals or the loss of precious green spaces. 2024 has seen a number of major projects approved, some which have proven extremely controversial.

Some of the verdicts have taken years to get across the line. These are 10 of the biggest scheme granted approval over the course of the year.

 

Enderby Logistics Hub
The Enderby Logistics hub has been a long-running ‘will they, won’t they’ saga since it was first put forwards in 2019. The application for four large warehouses and a training centre on the site next to the Enderby Park and Ride, off St Johns, in the village was actually rejected last year in a shocking twist which saw councillors go against the advice of their own planning department.

Local residents have rallied together to oppose the updated plan for a new logistics hub in Enderby (Image: Sandra Stevens / Snub The Hub)
At the time, planning officers said there were no grounds for refusal because all the concerns – including residents' fears the logistics hub would swallow up their countryside and clog up their roads – could be mitigated, while employment uses were considered acceptable for the land in the council’s own planning masterplan. But councillors disagreed, saying they did not believe the proposals truly considered the impact of the development, that the development did not meet current needs and went against policies which seek to protect transport infrastructure, such as the roads, from being overburdened.

But celebrations from those who tirelessly opposed the scheme was short-lived, with both a scathing appeal on the rejected scheme and a second, reworked application being submitted by the developers. Drummond Estate and Inverock Trust ended up winning both.

 

1,500 homes, Earl Shilton
A massive housing estate in Mill Lane, Earl Shilton, was approved in June, despite last-minute attempts to have the decision delayed over claims of 12-metre warehouses looming over homes and a cemetery. Objectors feared that 2m-high warehouses could be built just one metre from people’s properties, but council planning officers ruled the concerns unfounded.

Plans for the Earl Shilton SUE
In addition to 1,500 homes, land has been set aside for an area of employment land, as well as a new school, community hub and retail space. A total of almost £22million has been promised by the developers towards local services and facilities, with £18m for education, £1.1m for healthcare and £1.3 for improvements to the Weavers Springs sports fields.

The site had been earmarked for development by the council as the Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extension. Approval was for outline permission only, with detailed plans still to be signed off.

 

650 homes, Wigston
Plans to build 650 more homes at the edge of Wigston were reluctantly approved by councillors in September. The homes, off Welford Road, are part of a wider development currently under construction in the town, with 520 homes already being built there.

In addition to the new housing, a local centre, primary school, community building and play areas are proposed for the site. However, the approved application, submitted by David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes, only looked at the housing, community building, open spaces and road layouts. The full details of the school, local centre and other employment uses will be considered through separate applications.

Among the concerns raised by councillors were traffic and flooding issues. However, they ultimately voted in line with officers’ recommendations to grant permission for it. One elected member claimed the committee was left with “nowhere to go” other than to approve the scheme as the “experts had made their recommendations” in favour of the plan.

 

Leicester Railway Station revamp
A £22 million scheme to transform Leicester Railway Station was given the go ahead in October despite concerns over traffic and wasted money. Councillors were told by David Beale, the project manager for the Leicester City Council scheme, that the changes would create a “spacious, light and airy, and welcoming” gateway into the city.

However, ward councillor Patrick Kitterick questioned whether the money – £5 million of which is being put up directly by the council – could be better spent at a time when the local authority is facing bankruptcy. Committee members also raised some concerns around parking and the knock-on impacts on the surrounding roads, including busy London Road, given the scheme proposes to reduce the number of taxi ranks and take away 98 spaces from the car park at the rear of the site.

The new entrance will sit where the Parcel Yard pub once stood (Image: Leicester City Council)
The plans will see the station's entrance moved around the corner to Station Street, which would in turn be closed to traffic. A new pedestrianised public area, with a ramp leading into the station, will be created on the space which was previously home to the Parcel Yard pub. Demolition work on the pub building is already under way, after being approved at the end of last year.

Pick-up and drop-off points, including for taxis, are to shift from inside the station to a parking area behind it, off Fox Street, close to the new entrance, and the existing rear entrance would be upgraded. The glass-roofed porte-cochère, currently used by taxis, will also be completely overhauled to create a new food hall, with space for street food venues, cafés, bars and a convenience store. Full plans for the porte-cochère, including the types of business which could move in, will be subject to a further application in due course.

 

154 homes, Broadnook Garden Village

A map of the completed Broadnook garden village development
The completed garden village will boast 1,950 homes as well as many amenties and much green space (Image: Supplied)
The latest stage of Leicestershire’s newest village was given the go ahead in May, with 154 homes approved. Broadnook garden village is being built between Birstall and Rothley, and will eventually have almost 2,000 homes.

The May decision was the second batch of properties to be approved for Broadnook, with Davidson's Homes previously being given the green light for 107 houses last year.

Homes England has agreed to fund the key infrastructure for Broadnook, which was given the go ahead in 2020, with Cora and Davidson's buying the land two years later. The scheme includes a new A6 roundabout, with a supermarket, school, care home, sports facilities, business area, and a retirement village eventually set to be built in the new community.

 

343 homes, Burbage
A new housing estate in a Leicestershire village was approved in February. A mix of home sizes, from two-beds to five-beds, and affordable housing were included in the plans.

The application was the second attempt by developer Jelson to build the homes on the site for land off Aston Flamville Road in Burbage. More than 40 objections were lodged by local residents, and councillors had concerns over congestion in the area.

After the first application was refused by the council, Jelson added a proposal for a roundabout, with the county’s highways department saying they were then "satisfied that a safe and suitable site access can now be achieved to serve the site". Councillors voted in favour of the scheme with eight votes for and nine members abstaining.

 

Former Matalan, Leicester
A bid to build flats in place of a former Matalan store in Leicester city centre was approved in September. Permission was also given for the demolition of the abandoned store, in the city’s Church Gate.

Two blocks of flats can be built on the land, the local authority said. These will be stepped at 14, eight, six and four storeys and will have 222 apartments between them.

The Matalan store in Church Gate will be demolished to make way for new homes. (Image: Google)
Last year, Leicester City Council planning officers threw out a 262-flat scheme over concerns it impacted views to nearby heritage sites such as St Margaret’s Church. The then proposed 14, 10, eight and six storey block would have been “excessive and representative of overdevelopment”, and would have “dominated” the area, planning officers determined. However, the council ruled this latest plan was "acceptable" in terms of layout and height.

 

239 homes, Newbold Verdon
A controversial housing development for almost 240 village homes was approved on appeal despite being dubbed a “stupid application” by a council leader. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council plans committee twice refused the scheme by Richborough Estates.

The 239 homes will be built land off Brascote Lane and near the Windmill Inn, just outside Newbold Verdon. A new five-hectare country park was also proposed in the plans.

The application was for outline permission only, meaning it was approved in principle. Further details were revealed in September when a full application was submitted to the council. This will also need to be approved before work can begin on the development.

 

225 homes, Ratby
Plans for a housing estate that were dismissed as "ridiculous" and "dangerous" by councillors were granted on appeal in March, after a government inspector said it would provide much-needed housing. Developers Gladman and Bletsoe were seeking outline permission for the scheme, off Desford Lane, in Ratby, which would have provided up to 135 market-value properties and 90 'affordable' homes.

A field outside Ratby, where 225 homes could be built. Picture: Google
One councillor, Chris Boothby, who represents Ratby on the authority, went so far as to brand the plan “the most ridiculous, speculative and dangerous application” that he had “ever come across in 21 years of sitting on this planning committee”. Desford Lane is a “dangerous and fast road” used by motorists, HGVs, cyclists and horse riders, he said.

However, Inspector Guy Davies said the council currently didn’t have enough houses approved and the houses were needed in the area. A further planning application will need to be approved for the site setting out the full details before work can begin.

 

185 homes, Countesthorpe
The scheme for land off Willoughby Road split councillors down the middle when they came to vote. The Davidsons Developments plan had originally been a proposal set to feature 205 homes on site, but was lowered to 185, following advice from Blaby District Council about reducing the "density" of the development.

More than 600 letters of objections were raised to the seven-acre scheme, with the lack of infrastructure a key theme among the letters. Ultimately, chair of the meeting Lee Breckon had the casting vote and opted to approve. The decision was met with derision from the planning committee's audience with one person shouting: "That's a disgrace."

[davieG]

 

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Vinyl Shakedown Records 

Had this super cool record bag come into our record shop over in Burbage, Hinckley today! Would love to know the history of Brees - was before my time in Leicester and it looks great!!

 

Geoff Kenney

A start for your research: https://www.britishrecordshoparchive.org/shops/brees-music/

[davieG]

 

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor  

New Year`s Eve Town Hall Square 1979 / 80 .

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor 

St Nicholas Church in Leicester is one of the oldest active churches in the UK. The current church was initially built on the site of a Roman baths and gymnasium during Saxon rule in the 9th Century.

Leicester was overrun by the Danish hordes in the latter half of the 9th century and was annexed as one of the Five Boroughs of the Danelaw along with other major cities in the East Midlands. As part of the Danelaw, it became one of the major Saxon/Danish cities in England.

The wall in the left side of the photo behind the trees is known as the Jewry Wall which was the west wall of the Roman Baths. It is one of the few visible remains of Roman Leicester (Ratae Corieltauvorum).

© MyLeicester .

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Mervin Wallace  

1903 Hollycroft, Hinckley

The town crier Mr. Thomas Cassell used to call from the top of Hollycroft hill, and when the wind was in the right direction he could be clearly heard in Higham and Stoke Golding. The area then was open fields and the Battling Brook stream. Thomas Cassell stopped calling about 1903, when this photograph was taken. He was the great grandfather of Gregory Drozdz.

 

 

History of Leicestershire in Images

Mervin Wallace  ·

Hollycroft, Hinckley.

A lovely period photograph, to the left of this photograph the huge trees that dominated Hinckley’s Hollycroft Park until very recent times, a number of which have been lost in storms over the years. Right foreground is the entrance to Factory Road. Hollycroft was known colloquially as 'Canning's Walk' after George Canning, Prime Minister, who lived in the town from 1807 to 1811, and would walk this way out of the town towards Stoke Golding and Wykin.

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor 

Britannia Street, Leicester

People standing in the doorways of their homes, as the Hovis delivery cart passes down Britannia Street in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, circa 1935. Small children play on the pavement beside a cart parked at the side of the road.

(Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

[Wymsey]

2 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor 

Britannia Street, Leicester

People standing in the doorways of their homes, as the Hovis delivery cart passes down Britannia Street in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, circa 1935. Small children play on the pavement beside a cart parked at the side of the road.

(Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Does Kirby and West still deliver bread and eggs in Leicester?

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor  ·

The Who Play Granby Halls, Leicester, 1967

British guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend as The Who perform live at Granby Halls in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, 13th March 1967. Townshend's bandmate, British bass guitarist John Entwistle is visible in the background. ( I was there at this one )

 

(Photo by Chris Morphet/Getty Images)

[Parafox]

10 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

Does Kirby and West still deliver bread and eggs in Leicester?

 

Only to commercial caterers: 

 

Based in Leicester, Kirby & West provide a six-day-a-week delivery service for the catering industry, with an extensive selection of drinks and food products. We deliver to Midlands businesses within a 50 mile radius of our Leicester depot. From Chesterfield to Northampton, Walsall to Peterborough, Derby to Birmingham, we travel across the region to bring the freshest ingredients to cafes, restaurants, schools, care homes and many more.

 

Also this article is interesting:

 

Kirby & West Dairy - Story of Leicester

[boots60]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

 

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor  ·

The Who Play Granby Halls, Leicester, 1967

British guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend as The Who perform live at Granby Halls in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, 13th March 1967. Townshend's bandmate, British bass guitarist John Entwistle is visible in the background. ( I was there at this one )

 

(Photo by Chris Morphet/Getty Images)

Shot to fame quickly. 2 years before they played the il rondo on silver Street.

[davieG]

Leicester Memories

Peter Taylor 

The Burlesque Nightclub Humberstone Road Leicester . Mid 60`s -

It was owned and run by a guy called George and his friend Chris.

The Gass ,and Wynder K Frog became like the house bands and the Burlesque was one of the few places that the Shotgun Express played with Rod Stewart and Beryl Marsden as their singers .

© Robin Hollick .

[LFEFox23]

Hi All, 

 

Is there a way of finding out what shops have existed in the past 40/50 years in a particular area of Leicester?

 

Basically my Grandad used to own a shop (no longer about Him and the shop) and I wondered if there was anyway of finding information / photos of it?

 

Thank you for any help possible.

[Wymsey]

24 minutes ago, LFEFox23 said:

Hi All, 

 

Is there a way of finding out what shops have existed in the past 40/50 years in a particular area of Leicester?

 

Basically my Grandad used to own a shop (no longer about Him and the shop) and I wondered if there was anyway of finding information / photos of it?

 

Thank you for any help possible.

What's the road/street?

[LFEFox23]

13 minutes ago, Wymsey said:

What's the road/street?

That's the trouble, I have little information - Area was Braunstone.

[Wymsey]

3 minutes ago, LFEFox23 said:

That's the trouble, I have little information - Area was Braunstone.

Could you possibly state the name of your Grandfather's shop and when he had it?

Edited 3 January 2025 by Wymsey

[davieG]

 

Adrian Watson  · 

Follow

A few people commented on previous photos and videos which showed the remains of the Belgrave and Birstall railway station at what is now Leicester North station on the Great Central Railway’s in Leicestershire.

This is a better picture of what remains.

Belgrave and Birstall station was built on the Great Central Railway's route to London and opened in 1899.

The station was built to the standard GCR pattern of a single large 'island' platform between the two running lines, on which stood the station buildings, including ticket office and waiting rooms.

Access was made by descending a flight of stairs from the road bridge that crossed the two lines.

The different colour brickwork now shows where the stairs used to descend to the platform.

The station closed in 1963 and was subject to regular vandalism which gradually made the station structure unsafe. The station buildings and platform were finally removed in 1985.

In the photo you can see the store room at the base of the structure where non valuable track items are sometimes stored.

Even in this reduced state, you can see the skill of the men who built this bridge and station structure.

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife/famed-leicester-music-venue-named-9835985

 

Not good news but still hope.

 

 

One of Leicester's most famous music venues has announced its immediate closure. Discussions about the future of The Musician are now ongoing, with the news devastating fans online.

The venue, in Leicester's Crafton Street West, delivered the shock news to fans this week, saying "ongoing discussions" were now taking place about its future. The Musician said: "The Musician will be closed for a while until we can do a further announcement about the venues future. We are having ongoing discussions so please bear with us until we can provide a further update."

The closure comes just months after The Musician was recognised as one of the UK's top 10 most active music venues in the UK. The venue, which first opened its doors in 2001, ranked 10th nationwide according to research by Protectivity using Ticketmaster data.

 

 

Musicians and fans have shared their memories of the venue following the announcement. Several performers praised the intimate atmosphere of the venue, with one describing it as "a fantastic little venue" that are "few and far between these days".

Another regular visitor to the venue described it as having been "a core part of my life for the past 20 years," adding there had been "too many amazing gigs to even try to count". The venue was particularly noted for its welcoming atmosphere, with one performer recalling being "greeted with a cup of tea and a bun on arrival".

Others expressed hope that the closure would not be permanent, with some suggesting potential solutions including membership schemes and support from the Music Venue Trust. All scheduled shows will be relocated to their partner venue, The International on Garden Street.

The Musician was the only establishment outside of London and major cities like Manchester and Glasgow to make the top 10 most active venues list.

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Richard Brandreth  

 

Welford Road, Aylestone Road junction around 1910.

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Richard Brandreth  

 

West Bridge pre 1900.

[davieG]

 

Leicester Memories

Jayne Wills  

 

London Road 1963.