City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

 

Story of Leicester

13 April 2022 ·

Here is a throwback to the London Road/Mayfield Road roundabout, when it was newly constructed in 1957.

Notice the interesting Police Box visible on the left? It would have been at the top corner of Victoria Park.

It is rare that we find pictures of Police Boxes in Leicester, after they were phased out in the 1970s.

Can any of you remember other locations of Police Boxes across the city?

[davieG]

 

Made In Leicester

Rob Hubble ·

St Margaret's 1961.

The traffic islands were well looked after back then.

[DJW1]

I´m not from Leicester, so a few years ago I bought the book "The Quality of Leicester", published by Leicester City Council

 

It´s full of interesting photos and explanations. It´s surprising how many interesting buildings or features there are around the city, although often you have to raise your view above the shops to apreciate them.

[PAULCFC]

This came up on my facebook today.......must have been the opening of the new HMV shop after moving from the Haymarket.

[Parafox]

On 16/05/2026 at 22:27, davieG said:

 

Story of Leicester

13 April 2022 ·

Here is a throwback to the London Road/Mayfield Road roundabout, when it was newly constructed in 1957.

Notice the interesting Police Box visible on the left? It would have been at the top corner of Victoria Park.

It is rare that we find pictures of Police Boxes in Leicester, after they were phased out in the 1970s.

Can any of you remember other locations of Police Boxes across the city?

There was one at the Junction of Gipsy Lane and Victoria Road East before the new link road. I used it when I was about 13yrs old after some scrote from the Northfields estate punched me in the face and robbed me of the money my parents had given me to go to the shop.

[FLAN]

Not exactly historic but does anyone recall a late night cafe on highcross street where the new hotel or apartments are now?  Basically at the top of the road where the traffic lights are to cross to the cinema. I’m sure in my early days of going out in town there was a place open all hours as we went home 

[DJW1]

On 19/05/2026 at 19:12, PAULCFC said:

This came up on my facebook today.......must have been the opening of the new HMV shop after moving from the Haymarket.

Blur, when they were 15 years old 

[PAULCFC]

27 minutes ago, DJW1 said:

Blur, when they were 15 years old 

Yes....big Blur fan and never knew they came to the opening of HMV.Must have been through that door 100's of times buying records!The thing that gave it away was Irish over the road.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Blur opening HMV. Remember when the Batman Forever premiere was at the Warner Bros cinema at Meridian  Bradley Walsh was a compere, Oasis were there with patsy Kensit in tow, along with a load of United players, Ryan Giggs below, not sure who the bloke on the left is though, Andy Cole or someone probably

 

 

 

[Zear0]

Always amazed that HMV is still trading tbh. Can’t be much margin in CDs and nu-metal posters.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Just now, Zear0 said:

Always amazed that HMV is still trading tbh. Can’t be much margin in CDs and nu-metal posters.

 

High St Honeys posters keeping the old girl alive

[Zear0]

2 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

High St Honeys posters keeping the old girl alive

Sisqó‘s GOATed album Unleash The Dragon came with a fold out poster of some grade A High Street Honeys.

[kushiro]

11 hours ago, PAULCFC said:

Yes....big Blur fan and never knew they came to the opening of HMV.Must have been through that door 100's of times buying records!The thing that gave it away was Irish over the road.

Likelihood is the photo was taken a month after the shop opened, in October 1991, when Blur played the Uni. When HMV opened in September, Kenny Thomas was the minor celeb they invited to the ceremony.

[DJW1]

14 hours ago, Zear0 said:

Always amazed that HMV is still trading tbh. Can’t be much margin in CDs and nu-metal posters.

Perhaps they sell Ramones t shirts. Plenty of them around

[davieG]

The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland

 

GORLESTON GETS A LIFEBOAT THANKS TO LEICESTER

22nd May 1866 saw the official launch of the Leicester lifeboat!

Despite being one of the furthest counties from the sea, Leicestershire has always been a proud supporter of the lifeboats.

The fundraiser in 1866 raised close to the modern-day equivalent of £60,000 for a new lifeboat and boathouse in Gorleston, Norfolk.

The boat travelled from the railway station into Campbell Street and then down Granby Street into the centre of the city. It was in a procession that had a Leicestershire Regiment band at the front with companies of Rifles front and rear. Enthusiastic people lined the sides of every street.

When it reached the River Soar, a formal naming ceremony took place with guest speakers from the military and the church. The lifeboat, made of mahogony, was launched onto the River Soar and the crew gave a demonstration to a cheering crowd before making its way to its new home.

This photograph is a glass plate negative from our archives (ref. GP724) showing a later fundraising parade through the city from 1905, with a lifeboat being pulled on a horse-drawn wagon and the lifeboatmen 'fishing' for donations! Over the years the generosity of the locals has funded several lifeboats on the Norfolk coast. This one named the 'The Leicester', helped save 89 lives during her service in the early 20th century.

If you're interested in researching past events such as these, we have many resources to help you. Please contact us on [email protected] to learn more!

#RNLI #lifeboat #leicester #gorleston

[davieG]

Your Leicester is at Odeon Arcade. · 

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The iconic Odeon Arcade is getting an Art Deco upgrade

If you’ve walked past the Market Place recently, you know this historic site has so much untold history. Now, plans have officially been approved to breathe new life into the space while completely honoring its heritage. Phew.

The team at MADE Architecture is keeping the breathtaking 1920s Art Deco facade facing Market Place, alongside those signature curved glass window bays The clunky 1960s rear extension on Cank Street is making way for a sleek, five-storey development featuring 39 city-centre apartments and a beautiful, landscaped internal courtyard.

Best of all for our independent scene, the ground and basement floors will be transformed into a vibrant, open shopping arcade with 13 brand-new retail units This is a massive step for this part of the city bringing a premium, cool, and beautifully designed buzz right back to the city centre. It will complement the Leiecster Market perfectly when both are finished.

Change always brings big conversations, and we know our local independent businesses are keeping a close eye on the construction disruption. But we can’t wait to see this beautiful piece of Leicester’s history in its fully glory again.

 

 

 

 

 

Shame the rear is so uninspiring

 

[Grebfromgrebland]

Does anyone remember the bikers bar that was part of the Haymarket I think? This would would have been in the nineties.

[kenny]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

Your Leicester is at Odeon Arcade. · 

Follow

 

The iconic Odeon Arcade is getting an Art Deco upgrade

If you’ve walked past the Market Place recently, you know this historic site has so much untold history. Now, plans have officially been approved to breathe new life into the space while completely honoring its heritage. Phew.

The team at MADE Architecture is keeping the breathtaking 1920s Art Deco facade facing Market Place, alongside those signature curved glass window bays The clunky 1960s rear extension on Cank Street is making way for a sleek, five-storey development featuring 39 city-centre apartments and a beautiful, landscaped internal courtyard.

Best of all for our independent scene, the ground and basement floors will be transformed into a vibrant, open shopping arcade with 13 brand-new retail units This is a massive step for this part of the city bringing a premium, cool, and beautifully designed buzz right back to the city centre. It will complement the Leiecster Market perfectly when both are finished.

Change always brings big conversations, and we know our local independent businesses are keeping a close eye on the construction disruption. But we can’t wait to see this beautiful piece of Leicester’s history in its fully glory again.

 

 

 

 

 

Shame the rear is so uninspiring

 

I like this practice's work. Very stylish as a rule.

[davieG]

John Ghent Leicester Estate Agent

 

Saffron Lane, 1991

The National Cycling Championship racing around the track with packed stands and crowds leaning over for a better view.

A brilliant atmosphere and a proper sporting moment for Leicester.

 

Now houses

[davieG]

 

The redevelopment of a historical Leicester site is set to have a "positive" impact on the city’s street scene, despite heritage concerns.

Odeon Arcade, which links Market Place to its front and Cank Street from the rear, is to be partially demolished, making way for flats and retail units.

The site is in a prominent location in the heart of the city and features a former cinema which dates back to the 1960s.

A new five-story building will be constructed to create 35 flats across floors one to five, with the retention of the facade to Market Place.

On the ground floor of the building, there will be space for 13 retail units.

Plans were previously laid out to convert the space into flats and retail units, put forward by the same applicant, Mr Almudaihesh.

The initial scheme, which sought to tear down most of the existing building whilst retaining the historical facade, was refused in 2023.

Its rejection was due to the “harmful impact” on nearby heritage assets due to its height and design.

In the area and its surroundings are a number of Grade II listed buildings, with the Market Place facade pre-dating 1948.

The fresh plans, which have received approval, were amended to prevent the redevelopment from being “excessively bulky”.

Despite issues raised this time around regarding “negative impact” to the character and appearance of Market Place, Cank Street, and the nearby Grade II properties, plans have been given the go-ahead.

The city council report said that the benefits of the scheme and the provision of 35 residential units - including four affordable homes - would “outweigh the harm” caused by the development.

Plans will see the “eclectic” Art Deco facade facing Market Place retained. The ground floor and arcade are set to be refurbished.

The shopfronts on Cank Street will be replaced and the shopfront to Market Place will be replaced with curved glazing, stone and decorative metal work.

Whilst it was noted that the small windows will create a “small degree” of harm, the city council report said this element is “clever” in achieving new openings to the property.

On floors one to five, the residential units will have communal areas and an internal courtyard, with additional private amenity spaces for many but not all.

No off-street car parking is proposed. However, due to the city centre location, it was deemed not necessary. Cycle storage is proposed on the ground floor.

A report published by Leicester City Council said: “The application represents an improvement in heritage terms over the previously refused scheme and the issues detailed above could be considered sufficiently minor to be outweighed by the benefits of the scheme and regeneration it represents.

“The proposal would preserve or enhance the character of appearance of the Market Place Conservation Area and not harm its significance.

“It would cause limited harm to the setting of the nearby listed buildings within the context of which it can be viewed.”

[Wymsey]

Will it be good if/when the city of Leicester expands its boundaries?..

[davieG]

4 hours ago, Wymsey said:

Will it be good if/when the city of Leicester expands its boundaries?..

Well it's not a popular idea for those affected

[Trav Le Bleu]

On 22/05/2026 at 09:04, davieG said:

The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland

 

GORLESTON GETS A LIFEBOAT THANKS TO LEICESTER

22nd May 1866 saw the official launch of the Leicester lifeboat!

Despite being one of the furthest counties from the sea, Leicestershire has always been a proud supporter of the lifeboats.

The fundraiser in 1866 raised close to the modern-day equivalent of £60,000 for a new lifeboat and boathouse in Gorleston, Norfolk.

The boat travelled from the railway station into Campbell Street and then down Granby Street into the centre of the city. It was in a procession that had a Leicestershire Regiment band at the front with companies of Rifles front and rear. Enthusiastic people lined the sides of every street.

When it reached the River Soar, a formal naming ceremony took place with guest speakers from the military and the church. The lifeboat, made of mahogony, was launched onto the River Soar and the crew gave a demonstration to a cheering crowd before making its way to its new home.

This photograph is a glass plate negative from our archives (ref. GP724) showing a later fundraising parade through the city from 1905, with a lifeboat being pulled on a horse-drawn wagon and the lifeboatmen 'fishing' for donations! Over the years the generosity of the locals has funded several lifeboats on the Norfolk coast. This one named the 'The Leicester', helped save 89 lives during her service in the early 20th century.

If you're interested in researching past events such as these, we have many resources to help you. Please contact us on [email protected] to learn more!

#RNLI #lifeboat #leicester #gorleston

This reminds me that I once did a feature about Leicester's whaling fleet for an April fools on my radio show.

[Trav Le Bleu]

On 22/05/2026 at 19:04, Grebfromgrebland said:

Does anyone remember the bikers bar that was part of the Haymarket I think? This would would have been in the nineties.

The one that was next to the clock tower entrance?

[davieG]

Joanne Vigor-Mungovin - Author Hidden Leicester ·

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On this day - 31 May 1877, Leicester briefly found itself at the centre of world history.

Just days after arriving in Britain, General Ulysses S. Grant—the victorious commander of the Union armies in the American Civil War and the 18th President of the United States—passed through Leicester during the opening stages of his celebrated world tour.

As his train paused at Leicester station en route from Manchester to London, civic dignitaries gathered to welcome one of the most famous men on the planet. Crowds turned out to catch a glimpse of the American hero whose leadership had helped preserve the United States during its darkest hour.

Grant's visit lasted only a short time, but it was a remarkable moment for Victorian Leicester. Here was a man whose reputation extended far beyond America: a former president, a military legend, and an international celebrity embarking on a journey that would take him across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

For a few minutes on that spring day in 1877, Leicester became a stopping place on one of the most famous world tours of the nineteenth century.

 

.....and now you can't even go direct to and from Manchester from Leicester