davieG Posted 13 August 2007 Posted 13 August 2007 From the Merc GIVE US A WORLD-CLASS ARENA, SAYS PETITION BY JENNY CORNISH CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER 10:30 - 13 August 2007 A campaign to build a world-class arena to host rock concerts, shows and exhibitions in Leicester has been launched. The petition calls for a venue which could rival arenas in Nottingham, Birmingham and Coventry. Campaigners say that with all the regeneration taking place in the city, residents deserve a top-class arena. Tony Robinson, 38, an information analyst at the University Hospitals of Leicester, has set up the petition. He said: "Why should people in Leicester have to travel to other cities to see exhibitions, concerts, shows and events? "We have an urban area population in excess of half a million people and one million people in the county as a whole. "That is enough people to justify an arena. Leicester is, after all, the 10th biggest city in England." City council bosses have said they will consider the idea but described it is a "long shot" because it would be difficult to find funding and a suitable site. However, Mr Robinson said an arena would add to the regeneration of the city and that there were many potential sites. "What we are missing in all these plans are first-class leisure facilities," he said. "An arena would provide a boost to the day-time economy of the city, through business exhibitions, conferences and major shows. There are many parts of central Leicester that could be used as a potential site. "The Nottingham Arena, for example, covers a very small site and actually has no dedicated parking facilities." Nottingham Arena, with a capacity of 10,000, has played host to artists including Oasis, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Rod Stewart and Green Day and also holds international ice shows and sporting events. The NEC in Birmingham is also a world-renowned stage while Coventry's Ricoh Arena also attracts big acts. Leicester's Walkers Stadium is unfit to host concerts because dancing in the stands could cause them to crumble, but they are safe for football fans. Leicester City Football Club has sought planning permission to improve the stands so they could hold between six and 12 big events a year. The plans were put on hold this year because of parking concerns . Coun Andy Connelly, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said there was "probably a gap in the city" and a new venue was "certainly something we could look at" He added: "But I wouldn't suggest it's a priority for us at the moment. "We'd have to identify a site, which in itself could be a problem and the other issue would be about the funding. "If there was a private operator out there who was in a position to build one, then we could then look at whether a deal could be done in respect of land, but it's a long shot." The petition has just been launched, but is already gathering support. Signing it, Paul Paphiti said: "Leicester needs an arena. We are doing so much to compete with other cities and improve our reputation yet the fact we lack such a facility remains." The petition will be handed in to the city council in 2008. To sign, visit the website below. Petition
Babylon Posted 13 August 2007 Posted 13 August 2007 From the MercGIVE US A WORLD-CLASS ARENA, SAYS PETITION BY JENNY CORNISH CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER 10:30 - 13 August 2007 A campaign to build a world-class arena to host rock concerts, shows and exhibitions in Leicester has been launched. The petition calls for a venue which could rival arenas in Nottingham, Birmingham and Coventry. Campaigners say that with all the regeneration taking place in the city, residents deserve a top-class arena. Tony Robinson, 38, an information analyst at the University Hospitals of Leicester, has set up the petition. He said: "Why should people in Leicester have to travel to other cities to see exhibitions, concerts, shows and events? "We have an urban area population in excess of half a million people and one million people in the county as a whole. "That is enough people to justify an arena. Leicester is, after all, the 10th biggest city in England." City council bosses have said they will consider the idea but described it is a "long shot" because it would be difficult to find funding and a suitable site. However, Mr Robinson said an arena would add to the regeneration of the city and that there were many potential sites. "What we are missing in all these plans are first-class leisure facilities," he said. "An arena would provide a boost to the day-time economy of the city, through business exhibitions, conferences and major shows. There are many parts of central Leicester that could be used as a potential site. "The Nottingham Arena, for example, covers a very small site and actually has no dedicated parking facilities." Nottingham Arena, with a capacity of 10,000, has played host to artists including Oasis, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Rod Stewart and Green Day and also holds international ice shows and sporting events. The NEC in Birmingham is also a world-renowned stage while Coventry's Ricoh Arena also attracts big acts. Leicester's Walkers Stadium is unfit to host concerts because dancing in the stands could cause them to crumble, but they are safe for football fans. Leicester City Football Club has sought planning permission to improve the stands so they could hold between six and 12 big events a year. The plans were put on hold this year because of parking concerns . Coun Andy Connelly, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said there was "probably a gap in the city" and a new venue was "certainly something we could look at" He added: "But I wouldn't suggest it's a priority for us at the moment. "We'd have to identify a site, which in itself could be a problem and the other issue would be about the funding. "If there was a private operator out there who was in a position to build one, then we could then look at whether a deal could be done in respect of land, but it's a long shot." The petition has just been launched, but is already gathering support. Signing it, Paul Paphiti said: "Leicester needs an arena. We are doing so much to compete with other cities and improve our reputation yet the fact we lack such a facility remains." The petition will be handed in to the city council in 2008. To sign, visit the website below. Petition Not a priority??? ha. So spending £20m on slabs and £60m on a theatre no bigger than what we already have is.
hairy Posted 13 August 2007 Posted 13 August 2007 A big swimming pool with spring boards etc would be nice too. Oh and an ice rink. And a city centre not covered in chewing gum. You are all forgetting we have a very useful space rocket in Leicester. What more could we possibly want.
Head Honcho Posted 13 August 2007 Posted 13 August 2007 The council were offered the NEC in the 60's and turned it down! The big bands won't come to the Midlands was the reason Leicester's loss is Solihull's gain though
Ultra Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 Only 38 sigs so far. Don't let apathy kill the dream - sign it!
Jay Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 Only 38 sigs so far.Don't let apathy kill the dream - sign it! I guess all that confirms is there isn't the need for an arena!!
Tommeh Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 I think we need something big, like the Bull Ring So the shires (high cross quater) huge extension isn't enough Good idea I think we need somewhere for gigs. De montfort has a few but I think people need to realise the walkers is a football ground and should be used purely for fooball, whether it is strenghtened or not. So I'm defenately for it.
Bryn Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 Putting it on hold for parking concerns was probably not a bad idea because trying to park near the Walkers is a fooking nightmare. I'm surprised some businessman hasn't snapped up a bit of land near there and banged a car park on it because you could probably make a decent amount charging for matchday parking.
Vennegoor10 Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 don't do it, more trouble, pollution and taxes
Mickey O'Neil Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 Went to see Sepultura Thurs night at Retribution.....what a farce! Need a proper venue for sure.
DB11 Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 Only 38 sigs so far.Don't let apathy kill the dream - sign it! I had to provide loads of personal info. so I cba to sign it. Plus I'm not old enough
JoeyB Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 I had to provide loads of personal info. so I cba to sign it. Plus I'm not old enough Full name, email address and home address, not much tbh! or dont you know your address i just cant be arsed to sign it because it'll never happen, so a waste of time
Joe. Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 I had to provide loads of personal info. so I cba to sign it. Plus I'm not old enough Full name (which doesn't even have to be disclosed), Address?- I didn't even put mine in. Only thing is the email address which is only used to confirm your signature
Daggers Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 I live in a large City and can't be arsed to travel for my entertainment either so I'm going to start a petition to move Leicester City to Birmingham...preferably to the end of my road so I can walk to the ground...and then I'll start a petition about the awful traffic problems. People are whinging turds.
Lillehamring Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 Full name, email address and home address, not much tbh!or dont you know your address i just cant be arsed to sign it because it'll never happen, so a waste of time you sound like you work for the council!
Asha Posted 19 August 2007 Posted 19 August 2007 I think we do because we're no smaller than nottingham why should they have the edge music wise?
sixthswan Posted 1 November 2007 Posted 1 November 2007 Hi all I started the petition for an arena for Leicester. If you are happy travelling to other cities for entertainment, then please ignore my petition. If you would like to see top class acts here in our city, then please sign the petition. You only need to leave an email address for confirmation. Feel free to make the rest up! I don't want to know your real postal address or name. You can leave those details blank if you want. Come on Leicester fans. You know you want an arena. Even if just to annoy those lot up in N********m!!! Cheers Leicester Arena Petition
Trumpet Posted 1 November 2007 Posted 1 November 2007 Fair enough, Nottingham isn't far away. But getting to and from Nottingham/ Birmingham for a gig at night can be hard for some, like myself. You can't get back on a train, meaning if you can't get back its a hotel job. We need a venue, like someone's said before. A Carling Academy please!
Ultra Posted 1 November 2007 Posted 1 November 2007 Just FORTY-NINE signatures so far... Looks like the councillor was right. An arena is not considered a priority. But maybe we might get speedway back to the city..
Fez of Mahrez Posted 1 November 2007 Posted 1 November 2007 Leicester as a city just isn't as culturally ambitious as Nottingham, Birmingham or Sheffield. There's little demand for these things and little attempt to meet what little demand there is.
Guest Posted 1 November 2007 Posted 1 November 2007 I think the natives are apathetic. There was not a big enough fuss when the speedway went (or so I was told), we used to have a world class velodrome, we used to get big names performing here, but at the end of the day, noone can be arsed to fight.
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