City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[davieG]

1965 - 12/6

 

[davieG]

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/tube-map-cycle-routes-made-4355195

 

'Tube map' of cycle routes made as Leicester network expands with new pop-up lanes
The council has improved or created 11 miles of new cycle and walking routes in 10 weeks

[Parafox]

21 hours ago, davieG said:

Can you check the link it's not working for me?

Apologies, its choosehowyoumove.co.uk

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

On 22/07/2020 at 09:31, davieG said:

Catalogue of old Leicester photos

 

Spelling's are a bit off.

 

Genuinely incredible what we managed to do to virtually every street running off the clock tower.

[Stadt]

Infuriating how we’ve managed to go backwards from having multiple stations in and around the city as well as a team work to well, nothing.

[davieG]

 

The Holiday Inn gyratory under construction, following the demolition of a large area of buildings dating back to medieval times. The underpass cut through part of the Roman archaeology of Leicester.

[davieG]

an evening of entertainment in June '73 the choice is yours.

 

 

 

 

[boots60]

On 23/07/2020 at 15:04, davieG said:

 

The Holiday Inn gyratory under construction, following the demolition of a large area of buildings dating back to medieval times. The underpass cut through part of the Roman archaeology of Leicester.

Konrad Smigielski did more damage to Leicester than the Nazis, Vikings, Angles & Saxons all put together.

[boots60]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

an evening of entertainment in June '73 the choice is yours.

 

 

 

 

60p to see Paul McCartney, Absolute bargain.

 

85p to see Roger Whittaker!

 

No way, he can whistle for it.

[davieG]

2 hours ago, boots60 said:

Konrad Smigielski did more damage to Leicester than the Nazis, Vikings, Angles & Saxons all put together.

Not as much as most people think 

 

 

[davieG]

....and in the 60's you could have enjoyed these in Hinckley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Costock_Fox]

7 hours ago, boots60 said:

60p to see Paul McCartney, Absolute bargain.

 

85p to see Roger Whittaker!

 

No way, he can whistle for it.

10p go see Sam Bailey though, what a ripoff.

[Izzy]

On 23/07/2020 at 08:41, davieG said:

1965 - 12/6

 

interval were one hell of a band

[davieG]

21 minutes ago, Izzy said:

interval were one hell of a band

Nah! it was the Invisible Man Artist he was there but you just couldn't see him.

 

[davieG]

 

£10.5m for new St Margaret’s Bus Station to help Leicester build its way out of lockdown
City and county get £20m from £900m Government pot to build Britain out of the Covid 19 economic downturn

 

A revamped St Margaret’s Bus Station and a new hub for sports businesses in Loughborough have received a share of a £900 million pot to build Britain out of lockdown.

Four city and county schemes will get a share of £20 million from the Government’s Getting Building Fund to boost the beleaguered UK economy and hopefully bring more than 1,000 jobs to the region.

Boris Johnson said in June that he was launching a “new deal” for the UK economy to contribute to the post-Covid economic recovery – with big state building projects at its core.

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) put forward four schemes, which today received £20 million backing. They were chosen because of their impact on the region’s short and long-term economic growth.

 

They are:

 

St Margaret’s Regeneration Gateway:

The scheme has received £10.5 million to improve this part of the city as it goes through a major regeneration with new hotels and flats either up, being built or planned. The scheme includes a new bus station and better roads and paths between the area and city centre. It is hoped the changes will accelerate development in the area that might otherwise stay on hold.

 

SportPark Pavilion 4 at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP):

Loughborough has established its position as a world leader for businesses working in new technology and sports science. The 21,000 sq ft SportPark Pavilion 4 scheme is getting £6 million to encourage more sports businesses to move to or set up in the town. It is hoped it will support 165 jobs on site and a further 157 off-site – and play a part in making Loughborough and its university business park a global sports hub.

Artist's impression of SportPark Pavilion 4 in Loughborough

 

Access improvements at J23 of the M1 between Loughborough and Shepshed:

Work is already underway upgrading the single carriage along the A512 leading up to the M1. The improvements are needed to provide better access for significant new housing and business developments going up in the area – including the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park and a second high-tech industrial park next to it which could lead to 4,000 jobs. The Government is putting an extra £1.8 million into the pot to improve five junctions on the A512 and improve junction 23 of the motorway.

 

Charles Street Transport Hub, Leicester:

This scheme has been given £1.7 million to create stronger links between the city railway station and Leicester’s two bus stations. As well as improving public transport it will create a gateway to the city centre and the Cultural Quarter regeneration area, as well as improve access to work, leisure and tourist destinations across the city centre. It will also help improve the look of public areas around there.

The Government says the four schemes will create 1,060 jobs when finished as well as 140 jobs during construction, and 11 new apprenticeships.

They will also help unlock 2,600 new homes, provide space for 10 businesses and create almost 2 miles or new or improved cycle and footpaths. On top of that they will enhance almost 30,000 sq ft of parks and public spaces.

Kevin Harris, chairman of the LLEP board of directors, said they were delighted to have been given the extra cash.

He said: “These projects will start to transform the future infrastructure of our city and county very quickly.

“Our over-arching aims will be to help get business moving again, to kick start our economy and to increase prosperity for all who live and work in Leicester and Leicestershire.”

Professor Tracy Bhamra, Loughborough University pro-vice chancellor for enterprise, said: “SportPark already has the highest concentration of the sports sector’s governing bodies and national organisations so its expansion is a natural step to create a vibrant focal point for the global sports hub.

“A growing number of sports innovation businesses have launched at or relocated to LUSEP, attracted to the collaborative environment and access the university’s world-leading expertise in sports science, engineering, health and well-being and high performance athlete base.

“LUSEP is already one of the most accessible science parks in the UK, located one mile from Junction 23 of the M1.

“The road improvements will create a further access point, even closer to M1.

“This is particularly welcome news as LUSEP’s expansion continues, as part of the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone.”

Deputy Leicester mayor for environment and transportation Councillor Adam Clarke said it was “very good news” for the city.

He said: “The St Margaret’s area of the city has great potential for large-scale regeneration, with the opportunity to attract further private investment and create a high-quality public realm to connect with the city centre.

“This investment will also give us the chance to replace a worn-out bus station with a new, modern and efficient building that will signal the beginning of the revival of this part of our city.

“The Charles Street transport hub will allow us to continue our work providing high-quality cycling and pedestrian routes that link the railway station to the city centre.

“As part of an integrated package of works over the next few years it will help to transform the station as a gateway to our city.”

Leicestershire County Council leader Councillor Nick Rushton said it was another important milestone in plans to drive growth across Leicestershire.

He said: “It’s encouraging news during what has been a very difficult time for the area due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“This Government funding towards the scheme recognises the work we are doing across the authority to improve and construct new roads before housing is built, which alleviates congestion by creating extra capacity on the network.

“This scheme is also key to support jobs with commercial developments also planned.”

In its funding round-up, the Government said: “In Leicester and Leicestershire, the funded projects are expected to deliver support for the local economy focused on transport, housing and employment.

“In Leicester city centre funding will enhance public realm, improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity, and can accelerate the delivery of new homes and commercial space.

“In Loughborough, additional employment space will extend the Sport Park cluster at Loughborough University to increase jobs.

“Road improvements will also unlock and accelerate strategic housing and employment growth and provide greater access to the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park.”

 

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/105m-new-st-margarets-bus-4393788

[davieG]

6-storey student accommodation block plan for city centre

61 student apartments will be created if the plan goes ahead

 

Chris Jones

04:00, 5 AUG 2020

A 6 storey student accommodation black could be built on Marble Street, Leicester. (Image: Leicester City Council planning portal)

 

A plan to build six-storey student accommodation block in the city centre has been submitted.

The building in Marble Street, between Millstone Lane and Newarke Street, would neighbour the existing, eight-storey iQ student accommodation building, in Newarke Street, on the site of the old Magazine pub.

If approved, the current building at the proposed location would be demolished to make way for the 61-bed new block.

The plan, put forward by Tang Developments Limited, outlines that of those 61 spaces, 13 will be studios and 48 will be apartments.

The size of the majority of the 48 apartments varies from 13.6 sq m to 13.38 sq m, with four rooms measuring 16.13 sq m.

The studio apartments, meanwhile, would measure upwards of 19 sq m.

The circled area is the location where the plan is intended for. (Image: Google Maps)

Application documents state that the proposed building has been designed to fit in with the surrounding buildings.

The planning application states: "Vertical glazing elements break up the brick façade, creating a modern aesthetic."

An objection to the plan has been submitted.

It states: "I would like to object to this proposal on the basis of the sub-standard space provision in the proposal. From some of the documentation, it appears there are many rooms with as little internal space as 13.5 square metres.

"If officers are minded to approve this under delegated powers, I request this matter is referred to the planning committee for determination. This is as the proposal is a significant development and the issue of minimum space standards for developments in the city are a matter currently under debate in the Local Plan process."

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/city-centre-building-demolished-make-4389429

[davieG]

Aldi gets green light to create 750 jobs at huge UK distribution centre in the National Forest
1.3m sq ft west Leicestershire site will operate around the clock, 365 days a year

 

 

Aldi has been given the go-ahead to build a vast new warehouse in the National Forest which could create 750 jobs.

The discount supermarket giant has won planning permission for 1.3 million sq ft of warehousing and offices on a 72 acre site at Nailstone Colliery, in west Leicestershire.

The warehouse would be around 100 ft high with solar panels on the roof.

There would be around 100 HGV bays at the front and more than 40 at the rear.

The entrance will be linked by a bridge over the loading area, and there would be around 600 car parking spaces as well as a 238 space HGV waiting area.

There will also be vehicle maintenance facilities, and substations to power the site.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/jobs/aldi-gets-green-light-create-4394674

[RoboFox]

On 23/07/2020 at 15:04, davieG said:

 

The Holiday Inn gyratory under construction, following the demolition of a large area of buildings dating back to medieval times. The underpass cut through part of the Roman archaeology of Leicester.

 

Astonishing, really. So there was a larger section of the Jewry Wall site that they just bulldozed? **** the 60's, man. What on earth were they thinking?

 

St. Nicholas' Circle is still one of the biggest of many turds in and around the the city centre, IMO.

 

Flatten it and start again. They've got the right idea with Jubilee square... Keep going.

[davieG]

1 hour ago, RoboFox said:

 

Astonishing, really. So there was a larger section of the Jewry Wall site that they just bulldozed? **** the 60's, man. What on earth were they thinking?

 

St. Nicholas' Circle is still one of the biggest of many turds in and around the the city centre, IMO.

 

Flatten it and start again. They've got the right idea with Jubilee square... Keep going.

There were/are Roman remains under that whole of the area. The floor mosaic in the museum there you could visit in the basement of a terraced house at the top of High St, I guess at least they saved that.

 If they'd have had any one with vision they could have had a massively impressive Roman remains visitor attraction to rival any in the UK and much more appealing than Richard III.

[RoboFox]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

If they'd have had any one with vision they could have had a massively impressive Roman remains visitor attraction to rival any in the UK and much more appealing than Richard III.

Remarkable. 

 

I mean I know times have changed and all that, but even in the 60s was there no consideration for the preservation of ancient ruins? It wasn't that long ago, relatively speaking. Seems baffling that there was such disregard for historical sites in favour of the city's economic and geographical expansion.

 

So much architectural history wasted, now we can't wait to get rid of much of what they built in that era because it's either considered a f**king eyesore, or it's falling into disrepair.

[Footballwipe]

3 hours ago, RoboFox said:

 

Astonishing, really. So there was a larger section of the Jewry Wall site that they just bulldozed? **** the 60's, man. What on earth were they thinking?

 

St. Nicholas' Circle is still one of the biggest of many turds in and around the the city centre, IMO.

 

Flatten it and start again. They've got the right idea with Jubilee square... Keep going.

What I find ironic is the cascade of older people, full of nostalgia on local FB history image groups who lambast "Soulsby" and everyone else for what gets constructed today. They're always moaning about how crap things look, destructing the city's history etc.

 

And yet, by and large, these people were either old enough to be aware, or were born around the time of the great destruction of the City Centre in the 60's. All well and good having a go now, but they should at least acknowledge the long-term idiocy some of the first wave of regeneration bought.

[davieG]

46 minutes ago, Footballwipe said:

What I find ironic is the cascade of older people, full of nostalgia on local FB history image groups who lambast "Soulsby" and everyone else for what gets constructed today. They're always moaning about how crap things look, destructing the city's history etc.

 

And yet, by and large, these people were either old enough to be aware, or were born around the time of the great destruction of the City Centre in the 60's. All well and good having a go now, but they should at least acknowledge the long-term idiocy some of the first wave of regeneration bought.

 

I don't recall ever seeing that much about what was happening until it happened, mind you I was just a young kid.

 

The only 'news' outlets were the Leicester Mercury and the Leicester Chronicle, No Local Radio or Local TV News.

The Councils were 100% run by 'well off' people mostly heads of local businesses as they weren't paid.  They would have been mostly interested in progressing their businesses The same can be said for newspapers. There were a few philanthropic owners amongst them but I suspect on the whole anything they did on those lines they did for ego or to get into heaven.

 

The country was also coming out of a post war and prolonged period of austerity and a age when even the better houses were dark dingy places and the vast majority lived in 1 up / 1 down back to back terraces with a toilet at the end of the street that they shared so people were looking for 'brighter and simpler things throwing off the shackles of the past.

 

You're talking about a totally different situation than what we have today. 

 

Your average Joe was simply not consulted as far as I recall.

 

 

[Footballwipe]

4 minutes ago, davieG said:

 

I don't recall ever seeing that much about what was happening until it happened, mind you I was just a young kid.

 

The only 'news' outlets were the Leicester Mercury and the Leicester Chronicle, No Local Radio or Local TV News.

The Councils were 100% run by 'well off' people mostly heads of local businesses as they weren't paid.  They would have been mostly interested in progressing their businesses The same can be said for newspapers. There were a few philanthropic owners amongst them but I suspect on the whole anything they did on those lines they did for ego or to get into heaven.

 

The country was also coming out of a post war and prolonged period of austerity and a age when even the better houses were dark dingy places and the vast majority lived in 1 up / 1 down back to back terraces with a toilet at the end of the street that they shared so people were looking for 'brighter and simpler things throwing off the shackles of the past.

 

You're talking about a totally different situation than what we have today. 

 

Your average Joe was simply not consulted as far as I recall.

 

 

I think my point was leaning more towards acknowledgement that the 1960's were a dreadful time for Leicester, more than anything. I accept consultation and awareness were far different to what they are today. The doomsayers seem to think that the City's heritage is being destroyed right now, when pictures like this show that the proverbial horse bolted a long time before.

[Paninistickers]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

There were/are Roman remains under that whole of the area. The floor mosaic in the museum there you could visit in the basement of a terraced house at the top of High St, I guess at least they saved that.

 If they'd have had any one with vision they could have had a massively impressive Roman remains visitor attraction to rival any in the UK and much more appealing than Richard III.

I often had a wry smile at Leicester and its negative 'it looks like rain' mentality. 

 

Took the kids a few years ago to Jewry wall. The mosaic was on show. Looked really impressive. Yet the info Board next to it was like:

 

'this is a very ordinary example of a very unremarkable Roman mosiac'

 

Only in Leicester would its own museum have a sly dig at its own history.

 

 

[davieG]

3 minutes ago, Footballwipe said:

I think my point was leaning more towards acknowledgement that the 1960's were a dreadful time for Leicester, more than anything. I accept consultation and awareness were far different to what they are today. The doomsayers seem to think that the City's heritage is being destroyed right now, when pictures like this show that the proverbial horse bolted a long time before.

But it is still being destroyed, well built attractive built to last buildings are still being bulldozed and replaced with bland rectangular blocks many of the them not meeting the legal size requirements for dwellings because they are being built under the guise of student accommodation.