Muz Posted 11 October 2009 Posted 11 October 2009 Ahaha nearly.Need to see you put in a filthy Embrace shift soon. Nearly happened Saturday but finances restricted me so I just went round Worksop. It's on the horizon though mate,Im off work soon so a midweek night session could be on the cards.
CosbehFox Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 about the lack of city centre space, (and controversial maybe,) but i think we should move the anachronistic outdoor market and open up the market place area as a plaza style centre piece . There's currently a feasibility study being done on the Market and what they could do to it. Most of the problems highlighted in the thread generally run through the UK. There's probably only about 8 cities and a few spa towns that differ from the block paved, Greggs/JJB, pushchair congested centres.
Lillehamring Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 Most of the problems highlighted in the thread generally run through the UK. There's probably only about 8 cities and a few spa towns that differ from the block paved, Greggs/JJB, pushchair congested centres. although, ironically, the best thing that has happened to leicester in the last few years is the paving of high street, which should have happened years ago! i think the saddest thing for me about leicester is that when i'm in leicester i pretty much only go to the town centre to shop, and even then every other shop seems to just be a food place - there doesn't seem very much culture there now, even the alleged cultural quarter feels like it has been shoved out of the way, imagine if the council had built the new theatre on a chunk of the haymarket, where the old one is, plus the nasty grey balconied chunk at the front, the ABC could have been retained and restored as a second theater or a replacement for the pheonix, the cinecentre could have been redeveloped, as well as leicester square, and all within walking distance of the bus station... there's your cultural quarter...but unfortunately the council had a free bit of land and an old bus depot in the back end of town....woohoo! i'm sorry, but i used to love leicester and was so proud of it, but now i'm only proud that i CAME from there, for what it used to be.... mention leicester to anyone overseas and get a blank look, say it's the 10th biggest city in england and you can see the bewilderment and shock rise up in peoples faces.
Teece Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 Its home. I love it; and didn't even realise how much until I left. definitely didn't bargain on how much i'd miss it / pine for it, even shocked myself. I like coming home, blending in with the accents and strange local slang / phrases again instead of standing out people talking to you and passing the time of day in shops etc... again, and the nice countryside being so close. Traffic's a breeze round here compared to some places too.
CosbehFox Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 although, ironically, the best thing that has happened to leicester in the last few years is the paving of high street, which should have happened years ago!i think the saddest thing for me about leicester is that when i'm in leicester i pretty much only go to the town centre to shop, and even then every other shop seems to just be a food place - there doesn't seem very much culture there now, even the alleged cultural quarter feels like it has been shoved out of the way, imagine if the council had built the new theatre on a chunk of the haymarket, where the old one is, plus the nasty grey balconied chunk at the front, the ABC could have been retained and restored as a second theater or a replacement for the pheonix, the cinecentre could have been redeveloped, as well as leicester square, and all within walking distance of the bus station... there's your cultural quarter...but unfortunately the council had a free bit of land and an old bus depot in the back end of town....woohoo! i'm sorry, but i used to love leicester and was so proud of it, but now i'm only proud that i CAME from there, for what it used to be.... mention leicester to anyone overseas and get a blank look, say it's the 10th biggest city in england and you can see the bewilderment and shock rise up in peoples faces. I agree with you but again I wouldn't restrict it to Leicester. In terms of non-mainstream films bar London, all of the cinemas in the likes of Nottingham are tucked away. The majority of music venues are increasingly becoming dives from their former cinematic glory and the government (local or national) have no real desire to protect cultural buildings. For example, the short-lived National Music Museum in Sheffield which lasted just a year before being sold off to the University (sound familar hey?) or the Earth Centre in Doncaster.
Lillehamring Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 I agree with you but again I wouldn't restrict it to Leicester. In terms of non-mainstream films bar London, all of the cinemas in the likes of Nottingham are tucked away. The majority of music venues are increasingly becoming dives from their former cinematic glory and the government (local or national) have no real desire to protect cultural buildings. For example, the short-lived National Music Museum in Sheffield which lasted just a year before being sold off to the University (sound familar hey?) or the Earth Centre in Doncaster. you're probably right, but it's hard not to notice when other cities get even one thing that leicester will never get, things like nottingham getting a new ice rink, when leicester hasn't even got an old one... it doesn't help that the council seem to make these stupid decisions in such a catastrophic way, things like building a 60 million quid theatre that doesn't solve the fundamental flaw of the building it replaced (ie its capacity) i shouldn't get so bothered about it really, but it's like seeing someone beat up your granny...
CosbehFox Posted 13 October 2009 Posted 13 October 2009 I agree with you again on the last sentiment. Saturday night, I drop my Mum and Dad off in town and drive around the streets when it's quiet. There's some feeling of pride there but these are feelings connected with past moments rather than the future and the way it's going.
Guest Posted 13 October 2009 Posted 13 October 2009 sorry but i'm going to have to agree with you again , we have a great roman history and i think the jewry is the second largest piece of surviving civil Roman building in Britain (the largest being the 'great work' at Wroxeter about the lack of city centre space, (and controversial maybe,) but i think we should move the anachronistic outdoor market and open up the market place area as a plaza style centre piece . Actually, I thought the same about the market just after posting, but didn't add it to this thread for fear of Thracian's reaction!! The point I was making was Leicester was little more than a market town until the railways came. Before that there was no industry in the City. The Georgians would have had no reason to celebrate nor afford such extravagances as broad avenues with beautiful buildings. However, when wealth did arrive, they built houses, factories and transportation needs for the masses. The days of the boulevard had long gone and Victorian buildings were ornate, fussy and functional as evidenced by the Midland Station. I think there would have been loads of space if they had the vision, London Rd would have made a great broad street if they had wanted it to be. Take away the houses in Highfields and imagine what that neighborhood could have been? I'm always amazed at the view from the top of London Rd looking across the City to Bradgate park in the distance, what a beautiful place Leicester might have been if it had had the foresight. I'm with your Dad on what has happened since the 60's it's a crime and as for the area around the Roman Jewery wall is an absolute disgrace. As a kid I used to love to go to Abbey Park it was truly a wonderful place of flower beds ornate trees and water, I went back there a couple of years ago and was horrified to see what has happened to the place. Ah, ok. I am currently commuting from the train station on a daily basis, and the approaches to Leicester station, especially from the north, are embarrassing.
Lillehamring Posted 13 October 2009 Posted 13 October 2009 Actually, I thought the same about the market just after posting, but didn't add it to this thread for fear of Thracian's reaction!! Ah, ok. I am currently commuting from the train station on a daily basis, and the approaches to Leicester station, especially from the north, are embarrassing. the station was screwed up the day they decided that cars should have fresh air, and humans should be forced into a pissy tunnel
foxoffderby Posted 15 October 2009 Posted 15 October 2009 Wow. I've just read the whole of this thread. As some of you may know I've just started a thread called relocating back to Leicester. In a nutshell I've been away from Leicester for about 18 years now and im coming home. Some of the things people have said about the city have taken me back. However, all I will say is from my experience other citys and towns also have their bad points too as well as good. The worst comment people make is about the immigration issue. What I will say is that its not a Leicester problem but a UK issue. Goto places like London Birmingham Leeds Manchester Liverpool and even Derby are there not immigrants there? Blaming Leicester as having a problem is simplistic and very immature. Derby also has layout problems in the centre of town and is also suffering from closed shops etc because of the new westfield centre. There is an area there called the cathedral quarter were all the designer shops and sole trader shops were, that area has gone down hill with many going out of business. Its happening everywhere. Brum had the same problem when the Bullring opened. Derby also has issues with the its equivelent of the Haymarket and the Curve called the Quad etc. It happens everywhere. Bus routes are a mess etc. With the recession a lot of the building work has stopped, its a complete pit. In summery, I've lived away from many years now. A lot of you guys are going to uni and may then on to the big smoke and Liverpool, Leeds Newcastle etc to start your jobs. Good luck with that but come back to me in 18 years time and still say Leicester is shit or you dont miss it...im sure you'll have a change of heart. Leicester will always be home. ps I dident even know Granby Halls had gone...im in for a shock when I go back
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 16 October 2009 Posted 16 October 2009 Leicester is...Home. I thought the Glen shopping centre is
vanfox12 Posted 16 October 2009 Posted 16 October 2009 you're probably right, but it's hard not to notice when other cities get even one thing that leicester will never get, things like nottingham getting a new ice rink, when leicester hasn't even got an old one...it doesn't help that the council seem to make these stupid decisions in such a catastrophic way, things like building a 60 million quid theatre that doesn't solve the fundamental flaw of the building it replaced (ie its capacity) i shouldn't get so bothered about it really, but it's like seeing someone beat up your granny... The trouble is that people assume that you hold both plays and concerts in the same arena you don't. If you wan't to see a play or the odd musical you go to the theatre and you see the big bands at an arena. By spending too much on the Curve the Council have forfeited any chance of Leicester having an ice rink cum arena unless private finance is invested in to such a project. Although having said that i suppose with £60M if spent wisely we could have had both plus one or two other nice new facilities.
CosbehFox Posted 16 October 2009 Posted 16 October 2009 If you use Sheff and Nottingham as examples of cities with dual arenas and then thearte's (sp!). The thearte are well established buildings of years in use. Arenas are financially propped up by sponsorship deals etc. The error made by LCC was not exploiting one of the fomer cinemas or other options to produce one of the two. Then have one facility with the help of a private invester. I suppose I am in agreement with you really.
Lillehamring Posted 16 October 2009 Posted 16 October 2009 The trouble is that people assume that you hold both plays and concerts in the same arena you don't. If you wan't to see a play or the odd musical you go to the theatre and you see the big bands at an arena. By spending too much on the Curve the Council have forfeited any chance of Leicester having an ice rink cum arena unless private finance is invested in to such a project. Although having said that i suppose with £60M if spent wisely we could have had both plus one or two other nice new facilities. in the grand scheme of things 60M isn't that much for a theatre, the opera house in oslo was budgeted at 480M, although it actually came in 30M under budget...(according to wikipedia), although there was a lot more for their money (The structure provides a total area of 38,500 m² and includes 1,100 rooms, one of which has 1,350 seats and another has up to 400 seats.) i think curves location, however, leaves a lot to be desired... the irony is that, with the curve, they decided to try to make a statement, rather than to spend wisely... as such they have a theatre that is in many ways no better than the haymarket, and that cost way more than refurbing the haymarket or ABC would have done, and have no doubt screwed their budget for years to come, and many would argue that the curve isn't that much of a statement after all If you use Sheff and Nottingham as examples of cities with dual arenas and then thearte's (sp!). The thearte are well established buildings of years in use. Arenas are financially propped up by sponsorship deals etc. The error made by LCC was not exploiting one of the fomer cinemas or other options to produce one of the two. Then have one facility with the help of a private invester. I suppose I am in agreement with you really. and now they no longer have the chance, seeings as they bulldozed the last one, thinking they were going to have private money coming in... school boy error - once it's gone, it ain't coming back...
ACF Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 I thought the Glen shopping centre is I'm English!!! And I prefer Knox
CosbehFox Posted 17 October 2009 Posted 17 October 2009 and now they no longer have the chance, seeings as they bulldozed the last one, thinking they were going to have private money coming in... school boy error - once it's gone, it ain't coming back... There's still the Athena opposite the Curve which could be taken over tomorrow and refurbished into a music venue within 2 months.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 28 October 2009 Posted 28 October 2009 Will always be home to me, although I now live in the South East.
The Padster Posted 29 October 2009 Posted 29 October 2009 There's still the Athena opposite the Curve which could be taken over tomorrow and refurbished into a music venue within 2 months. This is my plan should i ever win the lottery. Discussed it drunkenly a few times.
Lillehamring Posted 29 October 2009 Posted 29 October 2009 There's still the Athena opposite the Curve which could be taken over tomorrow and refurbished into a music venue within 2 months. is that what it is at the moment?
Lillehamring Posted 29 October 2009 Posted 29 October 2009 rather than starting a new thread.... here is oslo's solution for improving bus routes...100kph during rush hour.... they are currently revealing plans for the city's infrastructure for the next 50 years...
Guest Posted 30 October 2009 Posted 30 October 2009 rather than starting a new thread....here is oslo's solution for improving bus routes...100kph during rush hour.... they are currently revealing plans for the city's infrastructure for the next 50 years... Interesting. That's reminded me that monorails are great. There's one in Sydney, it looked like fun.
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