City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[Wymsey]

What does anyone think of the possibly expansion of the boundary of Leicester?

Edited 26 November 2025 by Wymsey

[davieG]

https://www.harboroughmail.co.uk/community/comment-foxton-canal-museum-faces-uncertain-future-ps20000-needed-now-to-secure-2026-opening-5416824?fbclid=IwY2xjawOU99VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeBmLAOcJT-kcZ0DQcQr7Z-Fc_Qh91S3cCUuuddskMr_eZFJMvuRTPXpXBA-Y_aem_dkf5Chp8JA4mkOtNdWePYw

 

Comment: Foxton Canal Museum faces uncertain future – £20,000 needed now to secure 2026 opening

 

One of our much-loved museums, Foxton Canal Museum, is under threat. In their own words, the museum explains why they need our help if they are going to survive.
Foxton Canal Museum, the beating heart of Foxton Locks and a vital guardian of Britain’s canal heritage, is under threat. A combination of rising costs, the long-term impact of COVID-19, and recent operational challenges—including lock closures that reduced visitor numbers this year—has left the museum’s future uncertain. As a consequence, income has not kept pace with escalating expenses, making sustainability increasingly difficult.

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/10000-seater-concert-venue-touted-10671133

 

10,000-seater concert venue touted for Leicester in revitalisation bid
Business leaders have set out what they think the city needs to unlock its 'full potential'

Hannah Richardson Local Democracy Reporter
04:00, 27 Nov 2025

The business group is exploring the concert venue idea in partnership with a music industry trade body
A new 10,000-seater concert venue could revitalise Leicester and unlock its “full potential”, a local business forum has claimed.

The Leicester Growth Engine, an independent forum made up of local business leaders, also believes that the Haymarket Shopping Centre, in the city centre, should be completely redeveloped into a retail, hospitality and employment hub as part of its ideas to regenerate Leicester.

The group has this week published a range of early ideas it believes will help “strengthen” the city’s economy and combat the “significant economic challenges” residents have experienced over recent years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the city had lower than average rates of employment in the year to the end of 2023 – the most recent data available – compared to the rest of the East Midlands – 65.1 per cent compared to 75.5 per cent.

The same year, the city was shown to have the least disposable income per head of anywhere in the country, according to the ONS. The forum’s proposals will ultimately be shaped into a “10-year vision” for the city which it believes will be “capable of creating new employment opportunities, increasing footfall in the city centre, and enhancing Leicester’s appeal as a destination”.

Key among its suggestions are a drive to turn the city into an overnight tourist destination. The forum believes a multi-purpose concert and conference venue should be built, with documents stating a “10,000-seat venue proposal is being explored in partnership with developers, a land agent, and a UK music industry trade body”.

 

The city centre is also a focus of its vision, with the group calling for a “full refresh” of the Haymarket Shopping Centre. Business leaders believe private investment could see the centre turned into a “proper mixed-use hub, with modern retail and hospitality on the lower levels, flexible office and start-up space above”, and new city centre homes also included.

 

Empty shops and buildings should also be “repurposed”, the Leicester Growth Engine said. Statistics from the summer show that around one in seven city centre shops then stood empty.

 

The group believes large units should be turned into food courts and activity-led social spaces. Meanwhile, underutilised council-owned land should be used to unlock new parking and residential opportunities. These steps would “repurpose dead space” into “income-generating assets”, documents state.

Forum chair Rajee Pattni said: “Leicester is at a turning point. Our city has the talent, creativity, and ambition to thrive, but we need to act now to unlock our full potential. This paper should act as a call to action for everyone who cares about Leicester’s future.”

However, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he believes Leicester City Council has already been “very successful” in creating a more attractive and vibrant city centre. There are, he claimed, more businesses moving in than are moving out, as well as a “dramatic increase” in hotel bedspaces which he believes shows people do see Leicester as an overnight destination.

He added: “Over the last decade, we have invested very heavily in the environment in the city centre. It started with Jubilee Square and Cathedral Gardens.

“More recently, the investment in Granby Street and the current investment in the market are all about making Leicester a more attractive place for people to visit, people to shop in, people to live in, and people to work in. Whenever I take outsiders around Leicester. or people coming back to Leicester after a long time, they are all enormously impressed by what we’ve done.”

Leicester City Council is currently working on a number of schemes for the heart of the city. These include the creation of a new Leicester Market, which would see space shared between stalls and events, and a shopping link between Cank Street and Green Dragon Square.

Sir Peter also disagreed over the proposals for the Haymarket centre, saying the council-owned building currently offered a “very good rate of return” to the authority. The concept of “closing it down and redeveloping it” is “unnecessary”, he believes.

The city mayor acknowledged that there was “always more to be done”, however, adding he would “very much welcome” a chance to meet with the Leicester Growth Engine and discuss their ideas with them.

He said: “Anybody who has positive and exciting ideas for the city centre, I’m always happy to work with them, to talk with them.”

Sir Peter added: “You can never relax in promoting change and new investment in a city centre, particularly in the present day when the challenge of internet shopping and out of town retailing are there. The city centre has got to continue to evolve, and the council’s got to make it a place where the private sector wants to invest.

“I’m very pleased to say that, in Leicester, they do want to invest and they’re doing so.”

[davieG]

 

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent

BBC Saturday Club at Granby Halls – April 1966

Granby Halls absolutely heaving as the BBC broadcast Saturday Club live from Leicester.

Check out the cameras perched up on the scaffolding to the left — capturing every moment.

A brilliant look back at one of Leicester’s most iconic venues.

#LeicesterHistory #GranbyHalls #BBCSaturdayClub #1960sLeicester #ThrowbackUK

[davieG]

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent

Cars for Leicestershire & Rutland Constabulary – April 1968

The very first batch of Morris 1000 Travellers delivered for the new Panda Car patrol service across Hinckley, Coalville, Melton and Rutland.

Standing proudly beside them (right to left): Geoff Williams, Chris Moule, and journalist John Holmes.

These Morris Minors served the force right through to 1974/75 — true classics of their time.

#LeicesterHistory #PandaCars #MorrisMinor #LeicestershirePolice #1960sUK #Throwback

[Stadt]

On 26/11/2025 at 09:04, davieG said:

Hidden Leicester  · 

Graham Hulme ·

 

An old postcard view of the Clock Tower area (card posted in 1967). On the left, at the corner of Gallowtree Gate, is Salisbury's which sold ladies leather handbags and accessories. Along Eastgates can be seen British Home Stores which moved into those buildings in 1932 (previously the premises belonged to Thomas Crowe & Co. who were drapers and furnishers). In 1973 BHS moved to the recently built Haymarket shopping centre but 12 years later moved again, taking over the former Woolworths store in Gallowtree Gate and opened there in October 1985. Burton's the tailors premises is seen at the corner of Church Gate. The building was originally the Eastgates Coffee House and was constructed in 1885 to the designs of the Leicester architect Edward Burgess. It was built for the Leicester Coffee and Cocoa House Company which was formed in 1877 and was supported by the temperance movement. Several of their coffee houses were established around the city centre but the company went out of business in 1922 and Burton’s moved into the Eastgates building later that year. In the building behind the Clock Tower is Timothy White's which was a chemist's and household goods shop, later merged with Boots the chemist. Jays soft furnishings store is seen to the right.

I always think the signage by the clock tower would make a good avatar for @bovril

[bovril]

23 minutes ago, Stadt said:

I always think the signage by the clock tower would make a good avatar for @bovril

Looking at the photo above I agree and would quite like to change it, but am worried changing a profile pic to something recommended by another poster would be very awkward and cringey 

[Stadt]

1 hour ago, bovril said:

Looking at the photo above I agree and would quite like to change it, but am worried changing a profile pic to something recommended by another poster would be very awkward and cringey 

Valid 

[davieG]

Wigston In Photos 1945-2005 added a photo to the album: Wigston Cinemas

The Magna Cinema

Long Street, Wigston

"Demolition work"

c.1990s

(Photo by Gerry Broughton, previously posted on "The Greater Wigston Historical Society")

[davieG]

 

 

 

[davieG]

 

 

 

Joanne Vigor-Mungovin - Author Hidden Leicester ·

Follow

 

On a cold 28 November 1912, the celebrated aviator Gustav Hamel arrived in Leicester to put on a personal air display for the townspeople. He was welcomed to the Old County Cricket Ground in Aylestone by Mayor McCall and the Lady Mayoress, as well as a great number of deeply interested spectators.

He has flown across the English Channel a total of eleven times, and, at twenty-three years of age, he held the world altitude record to a height of 13,000 feet.

The first flight of the day was scheduled for 2.37 pm. His monoplane, which was being displayed in front of the pavilion for public view, was wheeled across to the west side of the ground. Gustav was well wrapped in an overcoat and a muffler. He took his seat, and as the engine was started, the propellor whirled rapidly and created a deafening noise. The plane barely grazed the ground for fifty yards, before soaring effortlessly into the air.

Over and over again, Gustav circled around, showing off an impressive variety of tricks. He occasionally acknowledged the crowd by waving his hand, who would return the gesture with a salute. After four minutes of flying, he glided down with ease and landed perfectly in the centre of the ground. He reached a maximum height of six-hundred to seven-hundred feet. Gustav made two more flights after that, both of which were successful. The first lasted seven minutes, and the second lasted eight minutes. The last flight he headed off over the town, and was out of sight for some time before rising to a greater height.

To most spectators, who had only previously had a vague understanding of what was possible with monoplanes, his daring flights, swoops, dives and other feats must have been a startling revelation of what these aircraft were capable of. Although a few people were not surprised by his accomplishments, given the limitations of telegraph wires and trees, his performance still evoked loud cheers and amazed the delighted spectators.

On the following Saturday, 30 November 1912 at 10am, Gustav took off from the Old County Cricket Ground in Aylestone, Leicester in a Bleriot monoplane, and distributed copies of the Leicester Daily Post to the villages of Birstall, Mountsorrel and Quorn before landing in Loughborough.

In 1910, Gustav carried parcels of the ‘Pall Mall Gazette' by air, but Saturday 30 November 1912 marks the first time an aeroplane had distributed newspapers in England.

Even though Gustav flew in the Circuit of Britain race and had to land once in Melton Mowbray for repairs, and further on in Harrogate he had to descend again, Gustav said his flight to Loughborough was one of the most difficult he had ever undergone. It was a cold, wintry day, with a biting wind and patches of fog, which made it difficult to locate topographical landmarks, and made travelling quite treacherous. His French mechanic M.Teullard tried to persuade Gustav to postpone his flight, but the airman had already decided to fly, and was not going to be stopped by "the mist or Winter's bitter pang".

By 11.10am, the monoplane was prepped and ready for its 12-mile journey through the frigid winter air. On each side of the plane, a Daily Post banner was securely tied down. Gustav sat down and was given a stack of the Leicester Daily Posts, each with the words "Ariel edition" printed on them. A group of men pushed the plane across the frost-bitten ground to the Hawksbury Roadside of the ground. The mechanic started the fifty horse power Gnome motor, while half a dozen men held the back of the monoplane with the steel apparatus attached. The mechanic twirled the propeller to set the engine going, and, as he did so, the motor let out a 'Pft-Pft-Pft' sound.

“I need you to be prepared to jump up as soon as I raise my arm,” said Gustav, as he made sure his hat and goggles were secure. The propellor started spinning rapidly, and the engine made a sputtering noise as it revolved at two thousand revolutions a minute. The distributed air cut the faces of the men like whips. Gustav's arm went up into the air, and the dozen men standing at the back leapt backwards with the speed and grace of young gazelles. The monoplane glided across the turf for approximately fifty yards, and then slowly and effortlessly rose into the air, as if it were a bird. The plane gradually climbed up to a height of two-hundred feet. The monoplane gracefully glided in a half circle around the ground, before setting a course for Old Aylestone en route to Loughborough. Gustav waved his arm, and the crowd cheered, and the aeroplane gradually diminished in size as it flew onwards, looking like a big gad-fly in the distance with the copper coloured wintry sun shining behind it, until it was just a small speck in the sky.

Gustav's secretary, Mr Guy Carey, was responsible for making all the arrangements for his arrival in Loughborough. The Excelsior Football Club enclosure on Ashby Road wasn't the perfect ground for the purpose, but it was the best that could be found on such short notice.

When M.Teullard visited the site last Friday, there was a strong northern wind blowing. Fortunately, by Saturday morning, the wind had moderated considerably from its earlier strength. White sheets were spread out on the ground to indicate the spot Gustav had selected for his landing, and by 10am everything was set up and ready for his arrival. The town clerk, Mr Perkins, and Councillor James Cartwright represented the Loughborough Civic Authority.

It was a bitterly cold morning, and fog threatened to spread thickly and blanket the whole area. Given Gustav was planning to follow the main Leicester to Loughborough Road, there was good reason to be concerned that the fog would be even denser along that route. The public had lined the route, eager and excited to pick up the new modern day 'Daily Post Ariel Edition'.

The fog had given Gustav a lot of trouble, making it difficult for him to see where he was going. It had been very foggy over Leicester, and again halfway to Loughborough, the dense fog set in. The fog affected the engine's ability to run properly. After leaving Aylestone, Gustav became disoriented from the thick air. After take-off, he circled the area twice before he could get his bearings. Additionally, shortly after take-off, his engine began behaving badly and giving him trouble. As he started the journey towards Loughborough, but before he had left Leicester, the engine had stopped altogether. Gustav turned the plane back towards the cricket ground, hoping to land back there or at a closer, more suitable location. However, after a few minutes, the engine started up again. Gustav, who had marked his course on a map for Belgrave Cemetery, picked up the main road. The fog was so thick he had to fly low to see the ground, and even then it was difficult to make out anything. At his lowest point, he was only 100 feet from the ground.

Once the skies had cleared, he found himself over the village of Birstall and threw out the Daily Posts as quickly as possible. The journey was significantly more difficult, as there was a strong 30-mile wind blowing against him the whole way. He was only doing 35 miles an hour when he should have been doing 60. The air was so cold and bitter that he was almost frozen.

As Gustav flew towards Loughborough, the little Bleriot plane appeared in the sky above Emmanuel Church. As Gustav approached, he could see the white sheet landmarks directly in front of him. He then took a terrific spiral, which caused the spectators to gasp in amazement. Gustav turned towards Burleigh Hall and then swooped around again before he landed beautifully in the field.

Although Gustav said it was the worst flight he had ever experienced, he quickly recovered once the plane landed. He was seen walking through Loughborough, amusing himself and occasionally stopping passers-by to ask them “If the flying man had arrived yet!”

In the afternoon, Gustav gave two more flight exhibitions from the football ground to the delight of the gathered crowds. Although the wind was blowing from the north, it was very light. After the exhibition, Gustav left for Leicester by car to return to London. Once his aeroplane was dismantled, it was safely stored away in Loughborough.

Gustav Wilhelm Hamel was born on June 25, 1889, in Hamburg, Germany. He was the only son of Gustav Hugo Hamel, who served as the Royal Physician to King Edward VII, and Caroline Magdalena Elise Hamel. He had three younger sisters, Magdalena Augusta Hilda Hamel Dorothea Minna Hamel and Anna Elise Bertha Hamel. His family moved from their home country to England in or around 1899, settling in the town of Kingston-upon-Thames. In or around 1910, they went through the process of naturalisation and became British citizens. Gustav was educated at Westminster School in London, England between 1901 and 1907.

On 21 May 1914, Gustav announced his intentions to fly across the Atlantic that summer in a Martinsyde monoplane The original plan was for the flight to take approximately twenty hours from Newfoundpool. The plane was supposed to have its first test flight at the end of June. but never happened. On May 23, 1914, just two days after an announcement, he vanished over the English Channel while flying back from Villacoublay in France in a new 80 hp Gnome Monosoupape engine Morane-Saulnier monoplane. He had just collected the plane and was supposed to compete with it in the Aerial Derby that same day.

On Sunday, June 7th, 1914, the crew of the General Steam Navigation Company's steamer Gannet observed a man's body floating on the surface of the water while passing the Prince's Channel light vessel off Margate. The body was found off the coast of Margate and reported to authorities upon the Gannet's arrival in Themes on Tuesday, June 12th. The body was clothed in a brown boiler suit and appeared to have something tied around the waist. Unfortunately, it did not even cross the look-out's mind that the body in the water could have been Gustav Hamel, so he was not recovered.

On 24 June, a memorial service was held at Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street in London in memory of Gustav. The service was attended by Winston Churchill, who was the First Lord of the Admiralty at the time, and his wife Clementine.

At a time when the world experienced unprecedented levels of international tension, there was widespread speculation that he might have been the victim of deliberate sabotage. However, as no wreckage or other trace of the aircraft was ever found, the story gradually faded along with his memory.

Even though he tragically passed away, his contributions to the field of aviation did not come to a complete halt. A book he co-authored, 'Flying; some practical experiences,' was published posthumously and is considered a highly influential work by many.

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Mervin Wallace

ON THE 29th NOVEMBER 1530

Thomas Wolsey died in Leicester. A statue of Cardinal Wolsey stands in Leicester's Abbey Park by the elegant bridge over the River Soar, near the ruins of Leicester Abbey where he died. The York Stone statue was donated to the city in 1979 by the Wolsey Hosiery Company Ltd. named after him. A bronze plaque on the statue identifies him as "CHANCELLOR TO HENRY VIII" and notes that he "DIED AT LEICESTER ABBEY, 1530".

Thomas Wolsey was born in Ipswich and became a priest at Marlborough. His meteoric rise under Henry VIII led him to become Archbishop of York, a Cardinal and the King’s Lord Chancellor. In the meantime he had been Bishop of Lincoln, Bishop of Bath and Wells, Bishop of Durham, Bishop of Winchester and Abbot of St. Albans. However he failed to persuade the Pope to agree to the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, necessary if he were to marry Anne Boleyn. Wolsey was summoned to London, where he would probably have been executed, but only got as far as Leicester, where he died. 

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble 

Cascelloid Factory Abbey Lane Leicester.

[davieG]

Cool As Leicester ·

Follow

 

The Donkey is set for a full transformation including name change to The Victoria Park.

Star Pubs are looking for someone to take over the pub on an investment tenancy.

“The refurbishment will completely transform the pub, creating a welcoming, contemporary space. Inside, the main trade area will be fully redecorated with a new bar, finishes, furniture, and refurbished toilets. Externally, there will be new signage, full redecoration, and a refreshed beer garden with improved seating and lighting.

Once complete, The Victoria Park will trade as a Premium Local offering a quality mix of premium lagers, cask ales, ciders, wines, spirits, and cocktails. The food offer will be low-skilled but trendy, focusing on burgers, pizzas, and other casual dishes. Entertainment such as live music, sport, quizzes, and events will build rhythm and attract a diverse customer base.”

Info - https://www.starpubs.co.uk/.../donkey-leicester-(to-be...

[davieG]

History of Leicestershire in Images

Mervin Wallace 

ON THE 3rd DECEMBER 1944

Britain officially ‘Stood Down’ the Home Guard - formed in 1939 to defend Britain from invasion by Germany. They were then officially disbanded in December 1945. Photos of Home Guards last parade in Hinckley and the Hinckley Home Guard.

[davieG]

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent

 

Market Street in Leicester — just look at those cars!

A proper snapshot of a totally different era in the city centre.

[davieG]

[davieG]

Braunstone History Group  · 

Molly Storer ·

Westway Braunstone park Outside one of the Nissan huts They were used as temporary accommodation after WW2.(Roger Williams picture)

[davieG]

[davieG]

The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland

 

[Parafox]

9 hours ago, davieG said:

The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland

 

These days fire crews have bedrooms on site, showers, a multigym, games equipment, Sky, a decent fully equipped kitchen and more.

 

Times do move on.

Edited 7 December 2025 by Parafox

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

David Rigg 

 

Saw this old WW1 photo in an album owned by a friend and thought it may be of interest.

This from a google search;

"The University of Leicester itself was founded as a memorial to the local men who died in the First World War, a fact reflected in the institution’s motto ‘ut vitam habeant’ which means ‘so that they may have life’. University College Leicester (as it was then) began as an idea that predated the Great War and eventually came to fruition when the College was founded in 1921. In the intervening years, the future campus performed an important role as a military hospital.

The University’s main administration building, now known as the Fielding Johnson Building, had been constructed in 1837 as the Leicestershire and Rutland County Asylum, but became empty in 1908 after patients and staff transferred to a new asylum in Narborough which had opened the previous year. In 1911, the empty County Asylum building was identified by Medical Officers from the Territorial Force or TF (predecessor to the TA) as a suitable location for a military hospital, should the need arise.

Three years later, that need did arise and the building was designated as the base for a TF medical unit, the 5th Northern General Hospital. Outbuildings were demolished and replaced with four long, flat-roofed brick huts to house officers while nurses and medical staff had rooms in the main building".

[Foxdiamond]

8 minutes ago, davieG said:

Made In Leicester

David Rigg 

 

Saw this old WW1 photo in an album owned by a friend and thought it may be of interest.

This from a google search;

"The University of Leicester itself was founded as a memorial to the local men who died in the First World War, a fact reflected in the institution’s motto ‘ut vitam habeant’ which means ‘so that they may have life’. University College Leicester (as it was then) began as an idea that predated the Great War and eventually came to fruition when the College was founded in 1921. In the intervening years, the future campus performed an important role as a military hospital.

The University’s main administration building, now known as the Fielding Johnson Building, had been constructed in 1837 as the Leicestershire and Rutland County Asylum, but became empty in 1908 after patients and staff transferred to a new asylum in Narborough which had opened the previous year. In 1911, the empty County Asylum building was identified by Medical Officers from the Territorial Force or TF (predecessor to the TA) as a suitable location for a military hospital, should the need arise.

Three years later, that need did arise and the building was designated as the base for a TF medical unit, the 5th Northern General Hospital. Outbuildings were demolished and replaced with four long, flat-roofed brick huts to house officers while nurses and medical staff had rooms in the main building".

Soldiers wearing their hospital blues

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Tony Freestone

 

Middleton Street in the 50's

[davieG]

Made In Leicester

Tony Freestone ·

YMCA and East Street looking very different.