City of Leicester & Leicestershire - The Good and Historical Stuff

[fuchsntf]

3 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.

Yes I was actually disgusted at the time,und there was a movement to prevent it.....

Decision makers really were incompetent,they had no idea of that area's history.... A few were actually outsiders...

There was more greedy interest in the Building Project pennies...

 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/sports-direct-opening-fosse-park-4398032

 

Sports Direct opening Fosse Park 'megastore' with a new esports gaming arena built in
New store will cost more than £15 million, with up to 200 jobs

ByTom PegdenBusiness Editor
17:37, 5 AUG 2020UPDATED17:49, 5 AUG 2020

Sports Direct is planning to open a “megastore” at Fosse Park, with a new esports gaming arena built into it.

The business – which already has a new superstore in Humberstone Gate, Leicester – is working on a 90,000 sq ft site which will be split into two parts, for Flannels and Sports Direct.

It will also include Evans cycles and an area for computer games events, under the Game brand.

The megastore will open in 2021, and will cost more than £15 million. It will create up to 200 jobs.

The news comes a year after Debenhams pulled out of plans to build a new store at Fosse Park. That troubled department store chain originally wanted to spend millions on a new anchor store at a big extension to the shopping centre. It had been in talks with Fosse Park’s owners to try to salvage the plans after going into administration in April, 2019.

Michael Murray, who heads up a division at Sports Direct parent company Frasers Group, said Flannels, which sells up-market sports and fashionwear, will occupy 50,000 sq ft of the property that the group plans to lease. That will be under a new concept, with more details being revealed next month.

The remaining 40,000 sq ft will be occupied by Sports Direct.

It will be Frasers Group’s first regional flagship store to be agreed post-Covid-19.

Work recently resumed on a £168 million, 140,000-sq ft extension to Fosse Park shopping centre, which is next to junction 21 of the M1, south of Leicester. There had been a temporary closure of the construction site to review and adjust to the impacts of Covid-19.

Mike Bell, senior asset manager at Fosse Park co-owner The Crown Estate, said: “This letting marks another milestone in the transformation of Fosse Park and we are pleased to be welcoming Frasers to the centre.

“The new store will further both our retail and leisure offering and will make a fantastic addition for our shoppers.

“We are now working closely with Blaby District Council and Frasers to finalise details and hope to share more information shortly.”

Mr Murray said the Sports Direct part of the store would also include streetwear concept USC, a new bike department by Evans and the Game esports gaming arena.

He said: “I’m proud to be in a position to bring positive news in what has been a tough six months for retail."

He added: “Now more than ever, we must continue to push boundaries and innovate to stay relevant.”

James Keany is executive director of retail at leasing specialist CBRE, which is involved in the plans.

He said: “This multi-fascia site will transform physical retailing.

“This is another exciting new store that Frasers Group are creating which will open in 2021.”

[davieG]

What a missed opportunity this was we had a World Class Velodrome with an American Football pitch in the centre with the Athletics Track next door all it needed was a decent roof over it to protect the track and it was just left to rot and eventually be replaced by housing,

[davieG]

Not sure we need another Hotel but at least they seem to be renovating an existing building.

 

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/new-16m-hotel-leisure-complex-4398679

 

New £16m hotel and leisure complex planned in Leicester

Proposals for a bowling alley, indoor play area and rooftop apartments are part of scheme

How the hotel would look (Image: Kennedy Design Ltd)

 

 

 

 

 

Major plans have been drawn for a £16 million hotel and leisure complex that could help regenerate an area of the city centre.

A revamp of the Kapital Buildings in Charter Street is being proposed which would include a new 100-room hotel, a bowling alley, an indoor play area and a new conference and banqueting suite.

Developers SB Management Ltd have lodged plans for the scheme with Leicester City Council.

The distinctive building, that dates back to the late 1950s, is currently home to a textile factory with 87 staff, which would be relocated to more modern premises in the city, and a function suite.

 

The firm’s intention is to revamp the interior of the northern section of the building turning it from office and workshop space to a mixed leisure complex with parking at ground floor level.

It also intends to create nine rooftop flats.

 

The southern part of the building - now used as storage space - is earmarked for demolition to make way for the six-storey hotel with more than 30 staff.

A new multi-storey link between the two buildings will be created.

The indoor children’s play area and bowling alley would create some 36 jobs with a further 15 jobs in the new conference and banqueting centre.

Rooftop apartments are planned (Image: Kennedy Design Ltd)

Documents submitted to the council say a separate lower-cost budget 40 room hotel is also planned within the complex creating some 25 jobs where guests would pay considerably lower than hotel prices for accommodation with shared facilities

The form said: “This type of hostel typically attracts a younger guest, either travelling with a group or alone, and a guest that is not reliant on private transport.

“The hostel facilities are basic but clean and modern. More common in cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, this type of accommodation, and the business model behind it, is new and rapidly evolving (an example of such a use is Eat Sleep Love in Liverpool).

An SB Management superman said: “It is concluded that the proposed scheme is appropriate and sustainable and one which introduces a high-quality mixed-use development into the city centre.

“The proposed development would breathe new life into an important site within the local area and one which complements and contributes to the regeneration of the city centre.”

City council planning officers are considering the proposals.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he had not viewed the specific plans and that he did not know what conclusions officers would draw about them but he said: "That part of of the city has enormous potential for regeneration with the Corah site nearby.

"Over the last five years we have seen the area half a mile up the road near the Highcross transformed and it maybe this will be the focus for regeneration in the next five years."

[Stadt]

Weird that in the space of about 4 years we’ll potentially go from having no bowling alleys to 3

Edited 6 August 2020 by Stadt

[davieG]

1 hour ago, Stadt said:

Weird that in the space of about 4 years we’ll potentially go from having no bowling alleys to 3

Shame we lost the Lee Circle one with 36 lanes on a single floor I believe it was the biggest in the UK. But then Leicester were often the 1st and the best, sometimes out side of London for many things in UK back then.

 

Also rated the cleanest large city in the UK and the 2nd most prosperous in Europe.

WTF happened?

[Stadt]

11 minutes ago, davieG said:

Shame we lost the Lee Circle one with 36 lanes on a single floor I believe it was the biggest in the UK. But then Leicester were often the 1st and the best, sometimes out side of London for many things in UK back then.

 

Also rated the cleanest large city in the UK and the 2nd most prosperous in Europe.

WTF happened?

Incompetent national and local governments

[Webbo]

38 minutes ago, davieG said:

Shame we lost the Lee Circle one with 36 lanes on a single floor I believe it was the biggest in the UK. But then Leicester were often the 1st and the best, sometimes out side of London for many things in UK back then.

 

Also rated the cleanest large city in the UK and the 2nd most prosperous in Europe.

WTF happened?

I suspect the 2nd most prosperous in Europe thing was down to the hosiery trade. Women could earn as much, if not more than men, which would have been pretty rare at the time. 

[Stadt]

Leicester was the second richest non capital city IIRC. The source was a League of Nations report from the 1930s but I’ve never been able to track down the original 

[davieG]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

What a missed opportunity this was we had a World Class Velodrome with an American Football pitch in the centre with the Athletics Track next door all it needed was a decent roof over it to protect the track and it was just left to rot and eventually be replaced by housing,

 

 

 

[Paninistickers]

1 hour ago, davieG said:

 

 

 

How cool do they look? 

 

I quite fancy getting one blown up and framed

[davieG]

Why did Leicester look more modern 2,000 years ago under the Romans than it did in Victorian times?
This is a great link 
[https://www.storyofleicester.info/a-place-to-live/living-like-a-roman/]

(https://www.storyofleicester.info/a-place-to-live/living-like-a-roman/)

[davieG]

I hate this building it's like I've fallen asleep and woken up in 70s - "signature building" 

 

 

 

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/decision-proposed-15m-hotel-banqueting-4416916

 

 

Decision on proposed £15m hotel, banqueting and restaurant complex in Rushey Mead
Councillors debated the controversial plan for more than two hours

 

The proposed hotel and restaurant complex will replace Indigo

Plans for a new hotel, restaurant and banqueting venue have been approved.

 

The £15 million complex is set to replace the existing Indigo restaurant which has been running for some 20 years near the junction of Melton Road and Watermead Way, in Rushey Mead.

Indigo owner Jagdish Ghelani wants to expand the business.

However, his proposals have proved controversial with nearby residents who opposed the plan.

Planners at Leicester City Council received more than 100 objections to the project, mainly from people concerned whether the proposed use was acceptable in a largely residential area, the impact on wildlife and loss of trees, the appearance of the proposed building, the impact on residential amenity and potential traffic, parking and congestion.

 

However, officials recommended that members of the council’s planning committee approve the scheme, which they did unanimously in an on-line meeting.

The application was debated for more than two hours in a discussion beset by technical difficulties.

Objectors, agents for the developer and councillors dropped in and out of the discussion causing frustration among those watching and participating as it disrupted the presentation when they dialled back in.

However, ultimately councillors voted by six to zero to approve the scheme, subject to more than 30 conditions drawn up to try to offset some of the concerns about the five-storey complex which will have 34 bedrooms.

Councillors were told there were worries about the number of trees that would be felled and potential late-night anti-social behaviour and disturbance.

But they were also told that the operation would lead to some £5 million a year being spent in the local economy.

Rushey Mead city councillor Rita Patel said: “I, as the local councillor, can see some of the benefits that can come from a development like this.

"However we must take into account the needs and concerns of people who have lived in the area for decades, many of whom are elderly.”

Following the debate, planning committee chairman Councillor Vijay Singh Riyait said: “I think we have had a very long and detailed discussion on this.

“It is quite clear that there is a fine balance in terms of this development.

“It’s clear from the discussion we have had, and the issues that have been highlighted by the objectors, that there is an impact in a number of areas like air quality, ecology, biodiversity, parking, traffic.

“For us it is to make that judgement and balance between the potential benefits this development would bring and those issues.”

He said council officers had worked to mitigate the concerns raised by objectors.

He added that this was a "signature building" in a gateway to the city and would bring economic benefits.

[RoboFox]

On 06/08/2020 at 08:41, davieG said:

Not sure we need another Hotel but at least they seem to be renovating an existing building.

 

New £16m hotel and leisure complex planned in Leicester

Proposals for a bowling alley, indoor play area and rooftop apartments are part of scheme

How the hotel would look (Image: Kennedy Design Ltd)

"With stunning views of Burley's Flyover and surrounding industrial estate" 

 

TBF, that side of the city centre badly needs investment and redevelopment. Good to see they realise that.

 

 

[Finnaldo]

On 06/08/2020 at 11:35, Stadt said:

Leicester was the second richest non capital city IIRC. The source was a League of Nations report from the 1930s but I’ve never been able to track down the original 

I’ve seen that as well but I haven’t found the original report either. From what I gather, the hoisery trade helped as Webbo said but despite the focus on that, our local economy was also a lot more diversified than most non-capital cities at the time, which meant the Great Depression hit the City a lot less severely than single-industry competitors. 
 

It’s less Leicester was a remarkably wealthy city at the time, more that we happened to have the right economic tools to weather the economic drop that totally fvcked the world economy for years.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

why is absolutely everything that goes up in Leicester ****ing cubed.

[davieG]

31 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

why is absolutely everything that goes up in Leicester ****ing cubed.

Aye it's very frustrating.

 

 

 

 

 

[Stadt]

Wait til you see the render for the student accommodation going up where the last plant is 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Just now, Stadt said:

Wait til you see the render for the student accommodation going up where the last plant is 

 

I've seen that mate, with the flags? Lovely and square.

[Stadt]

22 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

I've seen that mate, with the flags? Lovely and square.

Yeah that’s the one. I don’t hate it in isolation but just doesn’t fit in the surroundings of Granby st at all. 

[Webbo]

8 hours ago, davieG said:

I hate this building it's like I've fallen asleep and woken up in 70s - "signature building" 

 

 

 

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/decision-proposed-15m-hotel-banqueting-4416916

 

 

Decision on proposed £15m hotel, banqueting and restaurant complex in Rushey Mead
Councillors debated the controversial plan for more than two hours

 

The proposed hotel and restaurant complex will replace Indigo

Plans for a new hotel, restaurant and banqueting venue have been approved.

 

The £15 million complex is set to replace the existing Indigo restaurant which has been running for some 20 years near the junction of Melton Road and Watermead Way, in Rushey Mead.

Indigo owner Jagdish Ghelani wants to expand the business.

However, his proposals have proved controversial with nearby residents who opposed the plan.

Planners at Leicester City Council received more than 100 objections to the project, mainly from people concerned whether the proposed use was acceptable in a largely residential area, the impact on wildlife and loss of trees, the appearance of the proposed building, the impact on residential amenity and potential traffic, parking and congestion.

 

However, officials recommended that members of the council’s planning committee approve the scheme, which they did unanimously in an on-line meeting.

The application was debated for more than two hours in a discussion beset by technical difficulties.

Objectors, agents for the developer and councillors dropped in and out of the discussion causing frustration among those watching and participating as it disrupted the presentation when they dialled back in.

However, ultimately councillors voted by six to zero to approve the scheme, subject to more than 30 conditions drawn up to try to offset some of the concerns about the five-storey complex which will have 34 bedrooms.

Councillors were told there were worries about the number of trees that would be felled and potential late-night anti-social behaviour and disturbance.

But they were also told that the operation would lead to some £5 million a year being spent in the local economy.

Rushey Mead city councillor Rita Patel said: “I, as the local councillor, can see some of the benefits that can come from a development like this.

"However we must take into account the needs and concerns of people who have lived in the area for decades, many of whom are elderly.”

Following the debate, planning committee chairman Councillor Vijay Singh Riyait said: “I think we have had a very long and detailed discussion on this.

“It is quite clear that there is a fine balance in terms of this development.

“It’s clear from the discussion we have had, and the issues that have been highlighted by the objectors, that there is an impact in a number of areas like air quality, ecology, biodiversity, parking, traffic.

“For us it is to make that judgement and balance between the potential benefits this development would bring and those issues.”

He said council officers had worked to mitigate the concerns raised by objectors.

He added that this was a "signature building" in a gateway to the city and would bring economic benefits.

Is that on the site of the old Fosseway pub? I used to drink there a lot in my 20s.

[DennisNedry]

It wouldn't have been quite so tragic if they'd at least have thoroughly photographed everything they demolished in the 1960s. At least we'd have a record of the City as was. I've found it a struggle to find photos cataloguing some of the saddest losses. I found this, but it's mostly slum clearance which isn't nearly as sad, as a lot of it looked pretty dire.

http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p15407coll5/search

[davieG]

41 minutes ago, DennisNedry said:

It wouldn't have been quite so tragic if they'd at least have thoroughly photographed everything they demolished in the 1960s. At least we'd have a record of the City as was. I've found it a struggle to find photos cataloguing some of the saddest losses. I found this, but it's mostly slum clearance which isn't nearly as sad, as a lot of it looked pretty dire.

http://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p15407coll5/search

There’s stuff around in all sots of places. I’m a member of this group on Facebook History of Leicestershire Images as an example.

 

 

 

Half the Haymarket built Bell Hotel and Leas still standing probably empty by then.

[davieG]

2 hours ago, Webbo said:

Is that on the site of the old Fosseway pub? I used to drink there a lot in my 20s.

It hadn’t crossed my mind but now you mention it I think it was. Went there a few time in the late 60s when I lived on Clarke St. for a while just around the corner from there

[davieG]

3695

Title

Power Station Cooling Towers In Wartime Camouflage

Description

ABBEY - CASTLE STREET (CDV)
Strongroom Stack 24
Ayelstone Road
"Leicester Power Station"
Aylestone Road, Leicester
1/4 Glass plate negative
Lumbers 126.1962
GP2832

Negatives Collection, Leicestershire Record Office

LCC ID. No.

GP2832