Is the City of Leicester a dump?

[Bellend Sebastian]

Leicester Silver Arcade half empty after £3m makeover

The Silver Arcade opened in October 2013 after a £3m makeover

Continue reading the main story Related Stories

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• Victorian shopping arcade to open
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A Victorian shopping arcade is less than half full, 15 months after it reopened following a £3m makeover.

Natalie Powdrill, who has moved her hair salon out of the Silver Arcade in Leicester, said traders were "sold a dream" when they moved in.

She said not enough had been done to promote businesses and it needed a centre manager to deal with issues.

Estate agent Martin Herbert said "current retail conditions" were to blame.

Only eight out of 20 units in the arcade, which links Silver Street and Cank Street, are filled.

Ten units were occupied when the 19th-Century building reopened in October 2013.

'Nothing transpired'

Ms Powdrill broke a five-year lease to relocate Hair and Booty to another premises in the city centre.

"The building is beautiful and we absolutely fell in love with it," she said.

"The estate agent at the time sold us this amazing shopping experience. There were going to be big brand names downstairs, all independents from the first floor up.

"We were sold a dream basically and nothing transpired when we moved in."

Martin Herbert from agent Lambert Smith Hampton said tenants "were not promised anything that hasn't been delivered".

He said the landlord was "disappointed" with the footfall.

But he said businesses were "not willing" to contribute to the £30,000 a year needed to employ a manager for the centre.

 

 

I know some that runs a business in there and they've said almost exactly the same as this lady, in that there were supposed to be big name stores downstairs.  Instead, there's a tanning salon.  It is a lovely building but unless you've got a specific reason to go to a shop in there that you know about, you're unlikely to start wandering around in it, are you?

[Webbo]

Leicester Silver Arcade half empty after £3m makeover

The Silver Arcade opened in October 2013 after a £3m makeover

Continue reading the main story Related Stories

• Victorian shopping arcade opens
• Victorian shopping arcade to open
• Shopping arcade opening delayed

A Victorian shopping arcade is less than half full, 15 months after it reopened following a £3m makeover.

Natalie Powdrill, who has moved her hair salon out of the Silver Arcade in Leicester, said traders were "sold a dream" when they moved in.

She said not enough had been done to promote businesses and it needed a centre manager to deal with issues.

Estate agent Martin Herbert said "current retail conditions" were to blame.

Only eight out of 20 units in the arcade, which links Silver Street and Cank Street, are filled.

Ten units were occupied when the 19th-Century building reopened in October 2013.

'Nothing transpired'

Ms Powdrill broke a five-year lease to relocate Hair and Booty to another premises in the city centre.

"The building is beautiful and we absolutely fell in love with it," she said.

"The estate agent at the time sold us this amazing shopping experience. There were going to be big brand names downstairs, all independents from the first floor up.

"We were sold a dream basically and nothing transpired when we moved in."

Martin Herbert from agent Lambert Smith Hampton said tenants "were not promised anything that hasn't been delivered".

He said the landlord was "disappointed" with the footfall.

But he said businesses were "not willing" to contribute to the £30,000 a year needed to employ a manager for the centre.

 

Who'd have guessed?

[Steven]

'Leicester is a shit hole full of Pakis'

 

 

'Leicester is a s*** hole full of P***s': Ukip launch race-hate probe after series of abusive messages posted online

• Leicester activist accused of posting racist messages on Facebook
• Richard Crouch insists his account was hacked and denies responsibility
• Told MailOnline he has made an official complaint to Leicestershire Police
• Ukip tonight revealed it had launched an investigation into the allegations

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2970747/Leicester-s-hole-P-s-Ukip-launch-race-hate-probe-series-abusive-messages-posted-online.html

[davieG]

Leicester's mayor Peter Soulsby outlines future city centre revamp plans

By danjmartin  |  Posted: March 06, 2015

An artist's impression of how Town Hall Square will look after its current work is done

 Comments (1)

The streets around Leicester's Town Hall Square are to be the focus of the next phase of a multi-million revamp of the city centre, according to Sir Peter Soulsby.

The square outside the council's civic headquarters is currently undergoing its own £100,000 refurbishment with trees being replaced, benches renewed and street clutter like electricity boxes and advertising signs moved out of sight.

However the city mayor says once that work is complete, subject to his reelection in May, the next stage of his Connecting Leicester scheme will focus broadly on the surrounding area.

He told councillors at a recent meeting: "Town Hall Square is the best loved and most heavily used bit of public space in the city but because it is so heavily used it does need, every decade or so, a makeover.

 

•  

 

"The last makeover was in the eighties.

"After we have completed (the current makeover) the next major area for our focus for Connecting Leicester will be the streets near there - the links between Welford Place and Berridge Street, down the edge of the market, past Granby Street to Charles Street.

"That is the area that is top of the list of priorities.

"It is right at the heart of the modern retail area of the city and it needs the same attention that other areas have had such as Cathedral Gardens and Jubilee Square."

Sir Peter has not put a timescale or set a budget for future works.

Chairman of the Leicester Civic Society Stuart Bailey said: "The mayor is doing, by and large, a very good job of transforming the city centre.

"He has not got everything right, in our view, but has been improved in a relatively short space of time.

"It is one of those projects that feeds itself because each time a street is refurbished it highlights how tired nearby areas have started to appear."

Previous Connecting Leicester Projects have included the £4 million Jubilee Square, the demolition of the Belgrave Fly-over, and widespread revamps of streets in what has now become know as the city's Old Town. It also includes the current demolition of the former indoor market.

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-s-mayor-Peter-Soulsby-outlines-future/story-26130367-detail/story.html#ixzz3TdRTAD2t 

Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook

[Webbo]

Never gets tired of spending other people's money does he?

[davieG]

Never gets tired of spending other people's money does he?

If they'd  have maintained  it it wouldn't  need all this money spending on it. This is a major failing of most councils they have these grandiose  schemes but they rarely if ever plan / budget for their  ongoing maintenance. 

[Rob1742]

We are getting better recently that is for sure. Our pit of a City is developing some nice pockets.

At the moment it is not enough to encourage me there on a regular basis, but as an example Cosy Club has brought me into the City, which then meant I went to San Carlos to eat.

This highlights what we have though. I got a taxi to San Carlos from Cosy Club as I didn't want to walk through the main pit of our City. Then when you get out of the taxi, Granby Street is just pure horrible.

People will come into the City and spend, we just need more better areas created.

Marco Pierre White opening at the grand hotel is another encouraging sign, but you need to feel good wandering around the whole area.

So emcouraged by a few decent things happening, but we are along way from making it a destination.

[Finnegan]

Never gets tired of spending other people's money does he?

To be fair, just to play devil's advocate, if the city of Leicester IS a shithole, shouldn't we do something about it?

With the rise of internet shopping, high streets as purely locations for commerce are dying off. Gallowtree Gate looks a mess because all the business has moved away, shops closed or moved to the high cross and never been replaced.

Surely reinventing your town as a source of recreation more than shopping is wise?

More attractive spaces to sit, more cafes and bars, etc?

Matt is constantly pointing out Leicester is a dump but it's not going to improve without investment. If the council don't invest with public funds then who is going to?

[lavrentis]

people need a reason to actually come to leicester

 

we only have the large dildo on the outskirts and richard the 3rd

[Jay]

From an outsider looking in I really have no reason to go to leicester other than football.

Sad fact is that every city these days is the same, the same chain shops, selling the same stuff. The same chain restaurants selling the same food. it's just other city's seem to do it better.

Also the high cross has to many shops in one single location, unless they can pursuade one or two of the bigger shops to relocate to try and attract people to different areas of the city centre everywhere else will continue to struggle

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

I would love to be back in Leicester, permanently.

 

I have to say, that the once fantastic market, is only a shadow of it's former self.

[DennisNedry]

I would love to be back in Leicester, permanently.

 

I have to say, that the once fantastic market, is only a shadow of it's former self.

 

Well I'm only 21 but I've never noticed any change in it at all since I was a young kid. 

Edited 7 March 2015 by DennisNedry

[davieG]

Hastings Direct to create 230 jobs in Leicester

By I_Griffin  |  Posted: March 10, 2015

BlueTower

 Comments (6)

An insurance firm is to create more than 230 jobs in Leicester.

Hastings Direct confirmed on Tuesday it is to open a call centre in the city.

Forty jobs will initially be created in May, rising to 230 by the end of the year, with "plans for continued expansion" in 2016 and 2017.

The company said the site would be in the city centre, and would reveal its exact location shortly.

•  

It is believed the company will eventually move into St George's Tower - widely known as the Blue Tower - after occupying temporary offices elsewhere.

As reported by the Leicester Mercury last month, Hastings has been considering moving into the imposing building - next to the train station - for some time.

A Hastings spokesman said: "Centrally located with excellent transport links across the Midlands, Leicester was a natural frontrunner for Hastings' third UK location. It beat other national contenders not just because of its location, but also for the quality and diversity of talent available.

"Working closely with Leicester and De Montfort universities, Leicester College and the job centre, Hastings plans to help identify career opportunities for a range of people across a range of experience levels and provide comprehensive training and development."

Chief executive Gary Hoffman said: "Our new Leicester customer service centre will play a significant role in our plans for growth and expansion."

Hastings will receive £1 million from the Government's Regional Growth Fund to help finance the move. The company will invest many more millions of pounds in the site.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This is a major coup for Leicester and shows that the work we are doing to regenerate and promote the city is paying dividends.

"Hastings Direct is a fast growing, award-winning company and I am delighted that after a national search they have identified Leicester as the place where their new business can thrive.

"Their plan to create over 200 jobs this year will bring a huge boost to the city's economy, and we look forward to working with them to help them achieve this."

The announcement is a further investment boost to the city after US computer giant IBM said earlier this year it was to set up a major IT centre in New Walk, creating 300 hi-tech jobs. It was revealed last month tissue manufacturer Leicester Tissue Company is to create a factory in the city, bringing work for up to 350 people.

The news also comes as business leaders and council officials are currently working together at Mipim in Cannes, Europe's largest property conference, to attract further major investment to the city and county.

The Mercury reported last month Hastings had been looking at moving into 50,000 sq ft of vacant space on the first and second floors of the 22-storey St George's Tower.

Speaking at the time, James Boyle, of Middlesex-based Infrastucture Investments, which owns the tower, said Hastings had looked around the vacant space, and it had then been taken off the market.

It is believed it would take a few months to get the empty space up to the standard a modern business would need.

Hastings provides insurance products and services online and from its existing UK call centres at Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex and Newmarket, Suffolk.

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Hastings-create-230-jobs-Leicester/story-26147239-detail/story.html#ixzz3U4P9wmJl 

Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook

[fuchsntf]

Encourage small businesses to move into the center, backed by some supermarkets and bigger name named departmentstores. Drop rentals prices for all stores.Dont charge ridiculous prices for parking.In fact no cars or busses in city center.

Encourage some stores/shops from the ethnic suburbs, including little India to move their businesses into city or create filliales.

Create the market to simply copy the Camden market, use our city for what it is, a great meltingpot of all nations.

Have small train like wheeled electric trams, to run from Victoria park to the beginning of Melton road and then another crossing this way from Woodgate or frog Island to 1 mile beyond Humberstone gate.To travel straight through the city, sort of hop on, hop off.Then another circulating the outside of the center.Build cycle paths into the city, with bike-parking.

I dont know if any still exsist, but at least 2 theaters, with children and school theater and a decent nightclub, with live famous acts.Leicester use to be the starting place for many, Westend plays and musicals.

2-3 Small play and educating centers for all kids.

Funds: from private business sponsorship and obviously, city and county rates.

Lets become a competive, relaxing , enjoyable, exciting city center that others want to experience , to vist and copy.

lets stop sitting on the fence, and give the councillers and authorities a task and challenge.

No cars or traffic in the city will save millions on road or ways repairs.

I know, I know, too naive too simple, but past costing plans have also failed, time to be imaginative, creat to make money, more people encouraged to come and spend time in the center, brings in more funds.

Sell our history, use our green parks to help visitors, to teach/show Leicester and shire aint boring.

Edited 12 March 2015 by fuchsntf

[davieG]

AMERICAN diner TGI Fridays will create 80 jobs when it opens its first restaurant in Leicester.

It is set to open its doors in mid-May on the corner of Bath House Lane and Causeway Lane in Leicester's Highcross.

It will include a Monty Python themed decor in memory of comedian and writer Graham Chapman who was born in Leicester.

The restaurant will also feature an open plan kitchen so diners can see their food being cooked.

 

•  

 

Cocktails will be served from a 'shotgun' bar, which will be the focal point of the restaurant.

Recruitment days for the 80 positions will take place on April 1 and 2 although people can look on line now for job opportunities.

The company says it is looking for people who are looking to further careers in the hospitality industry.

Victoria Ward-Jackson, general manager for TGI Fridays in Leicester, said: "We are really delighted to be opening our latest restaurant in Leicester in the brilliant Highcross.

"There has been a really strong demand for a Fridays in Leicester for some time now, so we're extremely excited to be opening our latest restaurant here."

She added: "It's brilliant to be creating 80 new roles in the area. We pride ourselves on offering not just jobs, but careers, at Fridays."

The company has just been voted the best largest UK employer by its work force in a survey by the Sunday Times."

Ms Ward-Jackson added: "As well as excellent training and an incredibly fun and flexible working environment, we offer industry-leading career progression opportunities.

She said people should head to the website to apply as soon as possible for the forthcoming open day by visiting family.tgifridays.co.uk

Highcross general manager Jo Tallack said: "TGI Fridays will be a welcome addition to Highcross' vibrant dining offering. "We're really looking forward to them opening and adding to our visitors' fantastic restaurant choices."

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/TGI-Fridays-create-80-jobs-new-Highcross/story-26180120-detail/story.html#ixzz3UY6fWHMg 
Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook

[Rincewind]

I wonder what it will cost to eat there?

[separator]

I wonder what it will cost to eat there?

Hopefully cheaper than what Marco Pierre White is charging at his place on Granby Street

[MooseBreath]

I'd imagine the prices will be roughly in line with the many other outlets they have across the UK.

Not that I've ever been. I've just looked at their menu and it looks pretty basic.

Edited 16 March 2015 by MooseBreath

[Guest MattP]

Only went to a TGIS once and thought it was very overrated.

[Rincewind]

I only asked because of the location. I only want basic stuff. I'll leave the fancy meals for the younger jet set that like to impress their partners.

[MooseBreath]

The jet set

[Rincewind]

I'm too old now for the need to mix with the 'right crowd' to get on. A simple life will do.

[Finnegan]

TGIs is just a chain restaurant, it's not exactly fine dining for the executive elite, Ken. Jesus boyo, you could at least pretend to stay in touch with the real world.

Tgis is alright, it's a slightly better version of Franky n Bennys. Anyone going in expecting anything but is going to be disappointed. Think American diner style version of Beefeater. Come to think of it, it's basically Coast to Coast with cheesier decor.

[Guest MattP]

Coast to Coast is probably the best comparison.

Although I haven't been for a while given I'm out the 'jet set' lifestyle these days.

[Finnegan]

My girlfriend and I tend to go if we want a quick meal when we're in London for a day and can't agree on anything a bit more interesting.

It's certainly better than Aberdeen Angus if you're floating around Leicester Square and just want an average steak or a burger that's not about a tenner for BK.

I'd probably go to one in Leicester but it's not worth getting excited over.

Much rather go to The Observatory.