Is the City of Leicester a dump?

[Guest Markyblue]

2 hours ago, Rob1742 said:

The last City I visited was Newcastle. A large building has just been demolished to make way for small independent shops, more like pods. Looks amazing and can’t wait for it to be finished.

Fenwicks for lunch. What an amazing store, much better than the Leicester version was, a real icon up there. At Christmas there are queues to see the window Christmas scenes there.

Off to the large shopping centre, above the metro station which is great for bringing people in.

Then to the market for a browse. An enjoyable experience rather than the poverty stricken feeling you get wandering around the Leicester one. There is a lovely cafe in the Newcastle one, I don’t think anyone would want to hang around our market for lunch. 

Not on this visit, but on previous ones I have enjoyed stopping at the quayside, Malmaisson, a decent hotel, one of a few they have, which we don’t. Nice restaurant and bars around there.

Been to the match before and on the way back stopped off at Chinatown for a meal. 

So without going through them all, if you take Newcastle, it’s a fantastic City to walk around. 

We obviously want a different outcome from our visits to the Cities if you prefer Leicester. But that’s fine, we all are after different things. Tell me the great news about Leicester. The things you enjoy that make your visit so special? 

Don't live in Leicester any more but I'll never be anything other than a Leicester boy. The city has come on leaps and bounds in the last 15 years. I'm not going to argue with you because like the team ill defend my home town all ways. 

[Rob1742]

5 hours ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

The things you've cited great about Newcastle are independent shops (yeah plenty in Leicester), a department store (which is facing the very same problems - the Leicester Fenwicks store did https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/fenwick-outlines-significant-job-losses-14579023), a market (go to any major European market of a major city, they are all scruffy as hell - and talking of cafe, there's a cracking pub/restaurant within a minute of our market) and a shopping centre (got one of those thanks). That's hardly worthy of some cultural award.

The last time I went Newcastle is totally washed with people completely and utterly pissed particularly around 'the Gate', a Greggs what opens 24 hours and roadworks creating an absolute pain in the arse to flag down a taxi. As a result I stayed in Jesmond, down the road, away for it all. Your hotels point is valid for Leicester - however using Malmaisson has an example - an over-rated, 'boutique' chain who charge £200 to £250 per hotel is hardly valid. 

Okay I'll take Saturday then. 

I drive into the city, park at my childhood home. An affordable, safe, above average area within 20 minutes walk. Stroll into the city passing the absolute huge development going on opposite Highcross - intriguingly I have met people from the main investor for this project, they have managed money into various developments across London and in Birmingham. They have chosen Leicester for their first 'provincial' investment - they say a calculated risk as unlike major cities, the rents for students and private are comparable but they believe there is a lack of affordable accommodation for a generation post university. 

I stroll to the High Street, visit Wellgosh - an independent fashion store managed and owned by a gentlemen who once lived on my childhood street. They've just expanded. Country known; they stock products which are exclusive - just this morning they had 300 fashion items exclusive to about 10-15 stores in the country.

From here I can take a view at Tin Fish Shoes, another independent company what's continued through good times and the bad. Plus other businesses in the Arcades. Then onto into the Lanes where there is umpteen cafes all independently owned. 

I drank in the 'Two Tailed Lion', a pub specialising in craft beer, ran by a couple with no major brewery backing. I ate at 'Rosie and Oscar's Pizzeria', an independently owned Pizzeria who have two stores, anoher in Nottingham. I had other options such as Crafty at St Martins or Crafty Chicken at King Richard III. I could have gone down London Road and ate at Oggy - drank at Landsdowne or Parcelyard or Marquis Wellington - chains admittedly but owned by a local. Maybe even pop down Queens Road - Barcelonata, or Jones. 

You want Leicester to be some gentrified city where everything is up market. It isn't that. It never will be. It's a mixture of cultures which oddly possesses the most inner-city green space of any other English city. Everything you constantly praise about these other cities involves 'money' - Fenwicks is a store for the middle classes, Malmaisson is a hotel for the middle classes. The same things don't exist in Leicester because there's no market for it. There is however an appetite for unique businesses who offer something affordable. 

 

I am pleased you find pleasure in visiting your hometown City.

I do not want Leicester to be some gentrified City, but what I do want is some upmarket areas to be present to encourage more people into the City both during the day and night so they don’t go elsewhere. 

A mixture for everyone would be ideal. As you say there is no Malmaison or similar hotel, but just because you think it is overrated, doesn’t mean it or a similar proposition would not add value to the City.

There are many people who I speak to who would love to use the City more, but it doesn’t offer much for them. 

You enjoy it, I will suffer it.

[Wymsey]

Glad this had been knocked down as the area it used to be on looks more clean and smart imo.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/gallery/pictures-rise-fall-belgrave-flyover-1950770

[Rob1742]

6 minutes ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Glad this had been knocked down as the area it used to be on looks more clean and smart imo.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/gallery/pictures-rise-fall-belgrave-flyover-1950770

You don’t often see something that eases traffic actually demolished to make the area appeal more to the eye. I would expect that traffic in the area wouldn’t be running as smooth now as it used to, so it was an extremely brave and encouraging move.

 

I agree the area looks much better now, as does the square opposite the holiday inn, since the car park was replaced with a public area.

 

I have mentioned on here before that Soulsby deserves great credit for what he has done. Public figures are there to be shot at, rarely praised, but he deserves some credit for being a real visionary and making changes outside of the norm. 

[Footballwipe]

12 hours ago, Rob1742 said:

You don’t often see something that eases traffic actually demolished to make the area appeal more to the eye. I would expect that traffic in the area wouldn’t be running as smooth now as it used to, so it was an extremely brave and encouraging move.

 

I agree the area looks much better now, as does the square opposite the holiday inn, since the car park was replaced with a public area.

 

I have mentioned on here before that Soulsby deserves great credit for what he has done. Public figures are there to be shot at, rarely praised, but he deserves some credit for being a real visionary and making changes outside of the norm. 

I can still recall the outrage of that at the time. People were weirdly upset, but look at it now. A great place for people to gather, meet, spend time. I bet it was lovely to be in the summer. People don't have any long-term thinking these days. They see change and they panic, lash out and don't want things to be different to how they remember them when in fact it's probably for good reason.

[RoboFox]

15 hours ago, Rob1742 said:

I agree the area looks much better now, as does the square opposite the holiday inn, since the car park was replaced with a public area.

 

2 hours ago, Footballwipe said:

I can still recall the outrage of that at the time. People were weirdly upset, but look at it now. A great place for people to gather, meet, spend time. I bet it was lovely to be in the summer. People don't have any long-term thinking these days. They see change and they panic, lash out and don't want things to be different to how they remember them when in fact it's probably for good reason.

 

That side of St. Nicholas' Circle is infinitely better now.

 

The Holiday inn and the NCP within the roundabout have been a minging eyesore for years, though, and need putting in the bin, stat.

 

The Jewry wall site needs some TLC, too. An oft forgotten site of huge historical and cultural significance for the city, and it's just kinda... Meh.

Edited 3 September 2018 by RoboFox

[Heathrow fox]

On 24/08/2018 at 12:48, Markyblue said:

Don't live in Leicester any more but I'll never be anything other than a Leicester boy. The city has come on leaps and bounds in the last 15 years. I'm not going to argue with you because like the team ill defend my home town all ways. 

I think considering we are not a regional capital,don’t have a

major feature (big river,the sea,massive historical significance) and the local average wage isn’t the highest,we punch well above our weight.

 

Ok we lack some grand old buildings and we could do with some more upper endish hotels.On the whole though we are definitely in the next tier down from the core Cities.At least we have a John Lewis.You can’t be classed as a real City without a John Lewis.

 

Whenever I have taken friends to Leicester they are pleasantly surprised.I think they expect it to be a run down dump.What they find is a good honest down to earth place.With a quite impressive shopping centre and really friendly locals to boot.

 

When John Lewis did open 10 years ago,the ceo of the company said that Leicester shouldn’t bother trying to compete with Nottingham,but to concentrate on taking on Coventry and Northampton.Just thought I’d throw that one in.

 

 

 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/palais-de-danse-nightclub-leicester-1966248

 

Palais de Danse nightclub in Leicester to be transformed into 42 flats under £6.9m scheme
Work set to start on six storey extension later this year

ByTom Pegden
09:50, 4 SEP 2018

Drawing of how Palais de Danse will look after flats redevelopment

An iconic Leicester nightclub is set to be transformed into homes as part of a £6.9 million redevelopment.

Planning permission has been granted to create 42 one and two bedroom apartments in the former Palais de Danse nightclub on the corner of Humberstone Gate and St James Street.

The building, which has been empty for five years and is in the city’s St George’s Conservation Area, will also have two ground floor shops.

The historic facade will be retained, and a six-storey extension erected featuring red brick with Juliette balconies and frameless glass balustrades.

Work is expected to start this year.

The architects said the extension will complement existing buildings in the city and honour the 1920’s heritage of the site.

Legendary venue: The Palais De Danse, in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, seen here in the 1950s.
In its day the Palais de Danse was one of the city's most popular dance halls, hosting big names including Engelbert Humperdinck.

In the 1980s it was turned into a modern nightclub, and changed hands several times.

Names it went by over the years included Life, Zoots, The Studio and Sosho.

The redevelopment has now gained planning consent from Leicester City Council following an application from Leicester design practice rg+p and property investment company The Prideview Group.

Alan Hardwick, rg+p’s senior planning consultant, said: “It’s especially pleasing to have secured planning permission for this well-known Leicester landmark and be part of the project team regenerating a building which dates back to 1927.

“The project has involved collaboration between three of our in-house disciplines; architecture, planning and QS and we’re looking forward to making further contributions to Leicester’s cityscape as this development takes shape.”

Priyen Patel, director of The Prideview Group, in Middlesex, said: “Construction work at Humberstone Gate is anticipated to begin later in 2018 once we have identified a suitable developer to take the project forward, with the first properties available later next year.

“It's been a pleasure to work with this team and the council to restore a disused building located in a popular part of Leicester and we remain on the lookout for more investment and development opportunities within the region.”

[boots60]

They really should turn it into flats for the elderly. That way we could relive "Grab a Granny" night.

 

[Guest MattP]

I could never pull in life/palais for some reason.

 

Creation not a problem, Zanzibar a certainty but that place was a nightmare for some reason. 

[davieG]

On 30/06/2018 at 13:07, davieG said:

Leicester's proposed new bowling alley 'not aimed at kids'
It could cost £2 million to renovate the former Dunelm store

ByDan MartinPolitics Reporter
08:30, 30 JUN 2018UPDATED08:55, 30 JUN 2018

A planning application has been submitted to transform the former Dunelm site in East Street

The pub boss behind plans to open a new bowling alley in Leicester has said it is ‘not for kids’ - in the evenings at least.

Billy Allingham, of the Steamin’ Billy pub company, says between £1.5 million and £2 million could be spent renovating the former Dunelm Mill store in East Street.

Mr Allingham said his proposed plan was to open a venue aimed at students and the corporate market.

He has submitted a scheme to Leicester City Council seeking to turn the old store, beneath the NCP car park, into a bar with two, nine-hole crazy golf courses and bowling.

He said: “Leicester hasn’t had a bowling alley for years, and the one it used to have was horrendous.

“I’ve been looking at opening one somewhere for five or six years.

“I wanted it to be in the bottom of St George’s tower but there wasn’t room for enough lanes.

“East Street is the right size.

“Then we started opening more pubs and the idea got away a bit.

“Now you can see that people are drinking less.

“People don’t want to just go out in the evening and drink as much as they can.

“I’m looking at a different kind of venue.

“I think Leicester needs somewhere where a group of people can go after work and do something other than just have a drink."

Mr Allingham said of the proposed new venue: "It’s not for kids.

“It will be adult-themed – somewhere for hen and stag parties, that sort of thing.”

He said the crazy golf would be open from 3pm to 11pm for over 18s, and the bowling alleys would be for adults only after 7pm.

“I want people to be able to enjoy a pint while they play a round of golf," said the publican.

The council is currently considering his plans.

Mr Alllingham said he hoped he could have the crazy golf open by the end of this year and the bowling alleys ready in the spring.

The venue would create 20 full time jobs.

Leicester crazy golf bar Caddyshackers releases prices and opening times ahead of launch
The venue is opening in the former Dunelm store

ByBecky JonesWhat's On Writer
14:25, 19 SEP 2018

The former Dunelm site, where Caddyshackers will open


There's not long to wait until Leicester's new crazy golf bar Caddyshackers opens - and today, the venue has revealed opening times and prices ahead of its October launch.

Caddyshackers will be located in the former Dunelm site in East Street in the city centre, and is being opened by the founder of Leicestershire-based pub company Steamin' Billy, William Allingham, known as Bill.

It is the first of a two-part development in the 33,475 sq ft former Dunelm building, which is situated beneath an NCP car park.

Caddyshackers Crazy Golf will open in October, and East Street Lanes bowling alley will open six months later, in April, 2019.

The crazy golf pitch will comprise two, 9-hole golf courses with a 'quirky' layout, and will be aimed at an over-18 clientele.

Prices will start at £10 for an 18-hole round of golf, and a range of packages, including drinks and food - from a street food vendor - will be available as well.

For £22, you can get one round of golf, plus either two cocktails or two beers per person.

For £35, you can get one round of golf, plus either two cocktails or two beers plus food per person.

For £40, you can get one round of golf, plus either three cocktails or three beers plus food per person.

 

Caddyshackers will be open from 3pm until 12am Monday to Friday, and from 12pm until 12am on Saturday and Sunday.

Students (with a valid student card) will be able to enjoy a round of golf half price (£5) between 3pm and 10pm on Monday and Tuesday.

Exclusive hire will be available for groups of 200 people or more.

East Street Lanes will feature 16 bowling lanes, with lane areas available for private hire.

[The Syrup]

On 30/06/2018 at 13:07, davieG said:

 

He said: “Leicester hasn’t had a bowling alley for years, and the one it used to have was horrendous.

 

The cheeky bastard. I used to work at the Superbowl. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

Assume people have seen the videos online of security guards in the McDonalds in town getting a pasting from some twat the other night while everyone cheered him on. 

 

Not going to pin this on people that grew up in LC as it looked like they were of University age so probably from elsewhere, but disgusting behaviour regardless and embarrassing for the CIty to have it plastered everywhere. 

[Guest MattP]

7 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Assume people have seen the videos online of security guards in the McDonalds in town getting a pasting from some twat the other night while everyone cheered him on. 

 

Not going to pin this on people that grew up in LC as it looked like they were of University age so probably from elsewhere, but disgusting behaviour regardless and embarrassing for the CIty to have it plastered everywhere. 

I've not seen this, whack it up. 

[breadandcheese]

On 21/09/2018 at 22:49, The Syrup said:

The cheeky bastard. I used to work at the Superbowl. 

I agree, I used to love Superbowl back in the day.  An hour's bowling and a quick go on Daytona.  Great days.  

 

 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

14 minutes ago, MattP said:

I've not seen this, whack it up. 

 

There are a few other from different angles as well. 

[Guest MattP]

Found it.

 

Animals. 

 

Looks like something you would expect in London rather than Leicester. 

[Stadt]

100% (DMU) students I reckon. Before I went back to uni I ended up out in town a few times and it was relatively quiet but properly enjoyed it. Saw absolutely no trouble at all

[Spudulike]

Plans submitted for £80m Space Park that could transform part of Leicester

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/plans-submitted-80m-space-park-2070136

 

University bosses have submitted their plans for the first phase of Leicester’s proposed £80 million space park.

The University of Leicester is hoping to secure planning permission from the city council to develop the former John Ellis School site off Abbey Lane, and near the National Space Centre, as a major teaching, research and business complex.

The university is working with the council, Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the National Space Centre on the plans which it estimates will create 2,500 jobs both directly and indirectly while contributing £715 million a year to the regional economy.

Work to be carried out at the Space Park Leicester will range from developing satellite technologies to enabling the detailed analysis of space-enabled data.

 

The development is intended to support the Government’s strategy to capture 10 per cent of the £400 billion global space market by 2030.

The university says the project will help transform sectors such as international communications, resource management, environmental monitoring and disaster relief.

The first phase will focus on space data, applications and services.

The building will consolidate the university’s earth observation work in one location and will create a new home for Leicester’s Institute for Space and Earth Observation.

The building will also contain first-class teaching and laboratory facilities and house commercial partners, large and small.

It is anticipated that 150 businesses will be established in the first five years.

 

Architects Shepheard Epstein Hunter have designed the building which the university says is "striking and contemporary in style" with two wings set around a central atrium space.

It has been designed to be flexible, equally able to accommodate informal meetings, encourage high-tech work and function as a venue for exhibitions and events.

The space park’s first phase will be funded through a £12.8 million grant from the Government’s Local Growth Fund via the LLEP, a £1.5 million contribution from the Natural Environment Research Council and up to £13 million from the university.

 

Those contributions are the start of an estimated £80 million aim to transform the site into a world-leading centre for space.

What the university says

University pro-vice chancellor for strategic science projects Professor Martin Barstow said: “The submission of this planning application is a significant step forward in our ambition to develop a regional and global hub to help drive the UK space economy.

"We’ve been delighted by the reaction to the plans since we unveiled our initial proposals earlier this year.

"We are committed to working closely with our partners and stakeholders from across the city to put Leicester at the centre of space-related research, innovation and skills development.”

 

Chief executive officer of Leicester Science Parks Grant Bourhill said: “The UK space sector is booming.

“With a value of £14.2billion and productivity three times the national average, the sector has huge potential for growth.

“This first step towards Space Park Leicester is tremendously exciting.

“Building on our 50-year track record of having a Leicester-built instrument in orbit, we are creating a world-leading space facility, confirming Leicester’s international reputation as a leading ’Space City'.

“The space park will drive economic growth and attract and retain skilled workers, helping us deliver against national, regional and local strategies."

If planning permission is granted, construction will start on phase one in the early part of 2019 and will be completed by mid-2020.

 

 

[davieG]

Drivers warned of traffic disruption ahead of £3.9m cycle lane scheme in London Road

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/drivers-warned-traffic-disruption-ahead-2073980

[davieG]

Leicester ranked as 13th safest place to live in UK according to Compare the Market study
Birmingham was ranked number one safest place to live in the UK

ByChris Jones
09:44, 8 OCT 2018
NEWS

Leicester is the 13th safest place to live in the UK.

Leicester has been ranked as the 13th safest place to live in the UK after a recent study from Compare the Market.

Our city fared well in most categories that the study looked into, including crime and property price.

Health care was also looked into and even ground movement played a part.

The goal of the study is to give potential home buyers the chance to look for safe places to settle down, and Leicester looks to be a good option.

Leicester has a median average ambulance response time of 4.40 minutes, which is better than Belfast who sit in the number two spot of safest places to live.

Sitting sixth Leicester also has one of the lowest rates of robbery.

According to the study the crime per 100,000 population stands at 183, that's almost 100 more than number one ranked Birmingham.

But even though Derby, Coventry and Leicester sit in the top half, Nottingham and Peterborough sit in the bottom half, with Peterborough in last at 30th.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/leicester-ranked-13th-safest-place-2084728

[Finnaldo]

On 04/10/2018 at 13:08, MattP said:

Found it.

 

Animals. 

 

Looks like something you would expect in London rather than Leicester. 

Just come across this.

 

'Banging feds'  it's a ****ing doorman for McDonald's you waster. It's a shame cos I used to go out fairly regularly over the last three years and there's rarely any trouble to speak of wherever I've been.

[RonnieTodger]

Imagine having to do the night-shift at McDonalds. Must be an absolute nightmare.

[lifted*fox]

11 minutes ago, RonnieTodger said:

Imagine having to do the night-shift at McDonalds. Must be an absolute nightmare.

 

working a door anywhere late at night that caters to steaming idiots must be a nightmare. 

 

coming from someone who mostly goes out and socialises sober now it's so ****ing cringe-worthy watching the way drunk people behave. 

 

people act like absolute bellends after a few drinks. 

[Webbo]

Quote

 

Famous Walkers pie shop could soon close its doors
Nick Smith

BBC News Online

Leicester's famous pie shop, Walkers and Son, could soon close its doors after 200 years of trading.

The shop, in Cheapside in the city centre, told the BBC that they are considering shutting up shop due to decreased footfall in the area, meaning it is no longer commercially viable.

Walkers said it is currently in consultation with staff at the shop.