Is the City of Leicester a dump?

[Heathrow fox]

2 hours ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Presumably, the likes of Gregg's etc are becoming a bit of a monopoly at the expense of 'local' bakery/cafe outlets including Brucciani's.

This is extremely sad news indeed.So many memories and I used to love the smell when You walked in.I still try to pop in on my rare visits into town.However it was ridiculously expensive and I’m not fully surprised.

[Wymsey]

Expect another well-known Leicester-made firm to go the same way in a few weeks.

Currently have brought in administrators to help with the temporary running of the business in a difficult period for them.

[Jimothy]

14 minutes ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Expect another well-known Leicester-made firm to go the same way in a few weeks.

Currently have brought in administrators to help with the temporary running of the business in a difficult period for them.

Any clues on the business Wymesy?

[fazzyfox]

It's dis-heartening when you go to towns and cities you've not been to before and find the same generic row of shops, WHS, Boots, Greggs, Specsavers, Costa, Car phone warehouse etc, with less and less independants that bring character to the place. Leicester still has a good deal of independant shops around the lanes, not so much the arcades now though, I know people drop their phones but just how many Phone case stalls, windows and shops does one place need?

 

Bruciani's is a real shame though, I'd hate to think people have gone to Costa and Starbucks because they're trendier, that retro feel should be an assett not a negative. Those teenage memories of going in and asking the young waitresses for a "shake"!  The way Gregg's have barged out most independant bakers from high streets is such a shame too - if your favourate isn't in their range then tough, you won't find it anywhere else now. I want a devon split (and that's not cockney slang)!

 

And don't get me started on Swiss Cottage. We've gone backwards as a species to lose those places and sit in Starbucks sipping overpriced foam.

 

I always feel a bit of guilt too - I saw one of the little arcade cafes being stripped out last year and was disapointed that it wouldn't be there but then asked myself when was the last time you used it and couldn't remember. It was about £1.30 for sausage, beans and chips so probably many years! Generally though I always try to support the independants, they really are up against it and unlike some of their rivals they actually pay their tax in full.

Edited 5 March 2019 by fazzyfox

[Wymsey]

13 minutes ago, fazzyfox said:

It's dis-heartening when you go to towns and cities you've not been to before and find the same generic row of shops, WHS, Boots, Greggs, Specsavers, Costa, Car phone warehouse etc, with less and less independants that bring character to the place. Leicester still has a good deal of independant shops around the lanes, not so much the arcades now though, I know people drop their phones but just how many Phone case stalls, windows and shops does one place need?

 

Bruciani's is a real shame though, I'd hate to think people have gone to Costa and Starbucks because they're trendier, that retro feel should be an assett not a negative. Those teenage memories of going in and asking the young waitresses for a "shake"!  The way Gregg's have barged out most independant bakers from high streets is such a shame too - if your favourate isn't in their range then tough, you won't find it anywhere else now. I want a devon split (and that's not cockney slang)!

 

And don't get me started on Swiss Cottage. We've gone backwards as a species to lose those places and sit in Starbucks sipping overpriced foam.

 

I always feel a bit of guilt too - I saw one of the little arcade cafes being stripped out last year and was disapointed that it wouldn't be there but then asked myself when was the last time you used it and couldn't remember. It was about £1.30 for sausage, beans and chips so probably many years! Generally though I always try to support the independants, they really are up against it and unlike some of their rivals they actually pay their tax in full.

Oh definitely.

I often buy lunch in the town where I live, and have used a small one-man-on-his-own bakery shop as he's very good at what he does (largely home-made products) and he makes you a very valuable customer (he knows me from previous visits, he knows when I come through the door what my order will be, as well as asking how I am etc - an aspect that you very rarely get from large chains like Greggs).

 

Also if I needed some DIY products, I tend to go to an independent tradesman shop for this - unlike the alternative Wilko, they perhaps offer more of a personalised service when you first enter their business (they're always polite and ask me what I want, it this type of customer service I value personally, and again it's something you don't really get from multi-national chains of the same industry).

 

Talking about Greggs and Starbuck' s, don't really see the hype about them as the food often looks appear to be 'rushed' in terms of them being made once you've ordered them so that thèy can focus on the next customer in the queue as quickly as possible.

[Heathrow fox]

2 hours ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Oh definitely.

I often buy lunch in the town where I live, and have used a small one-man-on-his-own bakery shop as he's very good at what he does (largely home-made products) and he makes you a very valuable customer (he knows me from previous visits, he knows when I come through the door what my order will be, as well as asking how I am etc - an aspect that you very rarely get from large chains like Greggs).

 

Also if I needed some DIY products, I tend to go to an independent tradesman shop for this - unlike the alternative Wilko, they perhaps offer more of a personalised service when you first enter their business (they're always polite and ask me what I want, it this type of customer service I value personally, and again it's something you don't really get from multi-national chains of the same industry).

 

Talking about Greggs and Starbuck' s, don't really see the hype about them as the food often looks appear to be 'rushed' in terms of them being made once you've ordered them so that thèy can focus on the next customer in the queue as quickly as possible.

Greggs fodder is basically cardboard compared to Coombs.Their crusty cobs were possibly my favourite ever food item and no one has come anywhere near close to replicating them.I am guilty of using Greggs every now and then but only through desperation.

[RoboFox]

3 minutes ago, Heathrow fox said:

Greggs fodder is basically cardboard compared to Coombs.Their crusty cobs were possibly my favourite ever food item and no one has come anywhere near close to replicating them.I am guilty of using Greggs every now and then but only through desperation.

Oh, man. You’ve just reminded me. Such a fond memory... Crusty cobs and iced buns from Coombs as a Saturday treat whilst being dragged around the shops by my parents. Made it all worthwhile.

[Samilktray]

Bruccianis is crap tbh much rather go Mrs Bridges or St Martins cafe 

[Jimothy]

38 minutes ago, Heathrow fox said:

Greggs fodder is basically cardboard compared to Coombs.Their crusty cobs were possibly my favourite ever food item and no one has come anywhere near close to replicating them.I am guilty of using Greggs every now and then but only through desperation.

 

33 minutes ago, RoboFox said:

Oh, man. You’ve just reminded me. Such a fond memory... Crusty cobs and iced buns from Coombs as a Saturday treat whilst being dragged around the shops by my parents. Made it all worthwhile.

I worked for Coombs about 20 years ago. Used to get things like iced buns, cops, baps, cheese straws etc for free all the time 

[Pst]

30 minutes ago, Samilktray said:

Bruccianis is crap tbh much rather go Mrs Bridges or St Martins cafe 

Phew, all those people losing their jobs, in the back of my mind I was always hoping you were okay. Thank the lord you can cope.

[davieG]

Huge £60m plan to build 550 executive and student flats in Braunstone Gate
Some of the flats would offer 'hotel type' services

ByTom Pegden
16:24, 10 MAR 2019UPDATED16:30, 10 MAR 2019
 

How the proposed flats in Braunstone Gate would look. View from Western Boulevard

Plans for a huge scheme to build 550 flats on land straddling the Old River Soar close to Leicester city centre have been revealed.

Developers hope to spend £60 million on a series of buildings stretching from Braunstone Gate, across a backwater of the Soar, to the edge of Bede Park.

Some 300 exclusive PRS rental apartments would go up the Braunstone Gate end, on land including derelict arches which were once part of the Great Central Railway.

The stepped buildings, on a v-shaped plot, would sit on top of the hidden away tributary of the river and would be of similar scale to the 11-storey PRS block being built by the same developer – Leicester-based Sowden Group – in Vaughan Way.

 
Sowden Group owner Roy Coley said the flats would offer a hotel-type level of service and amenities.

Further along the river would be a 250 bedroom student development in a nine storey block.

Mr Coley said the whole scheme would help with the housing crisis and growing demand for quality, inner city accommodation, and meet student needs in the city.

 

The area of land in Braunstone Gate that would be developed

It would also open up a footbridge and a stretch of scrubland in the middle of the site which has suffered from anti-social behaviour.

Preliminary plans have just gone into Leicester City Council – which owns some of the land, including the arches – to consider.

Mr Coley said that should planning permission be gained, work could start by the end of the year, or early 2020, with the first tenants moving in by 2021.

He said Leicester student developer Jamie Lewis also had an interest, while the plans were being drawn up by architects Franklin Ellis.

Mr Coley said: “It’s a significant scheme.

“The PRS building would be an iconic block not dissimilar in stature to the

Vaughan Way site, and we’ve already got interest from investors.

 
“It’s ambitious and a big building, and I believe that with all the issues facing city centre retail right now one of the answers is to get more people living back in the city centre.

“It’s going to become a more fashionable way to live, and will boost the shops, the coffee shops and bars.

“The plans also resolve an issue of anti-social behaviour on that patch of land alongside the river, while that stretch of water itself has never really been used.

 

The artists' impression of plans for the flats in Braunstone Gate

“The plan would include clearing the river up and there would be light wells in the ground floor parking of the PRS block looking down onto it. It's part of a flood plain so there would also be grills into the car park in case it ever did flood.

“I’ve spoken to the city mayor about it and it now has to go before the

planners to consider.”

Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby welcomed the proposals and said it would now be up to the public to have their say during the formal planning process.

He recalled the public outrage – before he became mayor – over the demolition of the Bowstring Bridge, which was demolished to make way for a university gym next to the site.

READ MORE
£50m Leicester hotel and office scheme set for completion in late 2019
 
He felt removal of the council-owned railway arches might not cause as big an issue, now that the bridge was no longer standing.

He said: “Roy Coley has already done some stunning and transformative schemes in this city.

 

 

The design concept for the plan in Braunstone Gate

 

“I’m well aware of how controversial bringing the bridge down was, but a lot of people now think the damage is already done.

“I think it could work, but there’s a long way to go, not least hearing what local people have to say about the plans.”

He said the stretch of backwater running through the site was the old line of the Soar, before the mile straight was cut as part of a flood relief scheme, 100 yards to the east in the 19th century.

[davieG]

Ok but why do they have to be so boringly ugly.

 

Quote

“The PRS building would be an iconic block

What's so iconic about any of them?

[boots60]

41 minutes ago, davieG said:

Huge £60m plan to build 550 executive and student flats in Braunstone Gate
Some of the flats would offer 'hotel type' services

ByTom Pegden
16:24, 10 MAR 2019UPDATED16:30, 10 MAR 2019
 

How the proposed flats in Braunstone Gate would look. View from Western Boulevard

Plans for a huge scheme to build 550 flats on land straddling the Old River Soar close to Leicester city centre have been revealed.

Developers hope to spend £60 million on a series of buildings stretching from Braunstone Gate, across a backwater of the Soar, to the edge of Bede Park.

Some 300 exclusive PRS rental apartments would go up the Braunstone Gate end, on land including derelict arches which were once part of the Great Central Railway.

The stepped buildings, on a v-shaped plot, would sit on top of the hidden away tributary of the river and would be of similar scale to the 11-storey PRS block being built by the same developer – Leicester-based Sowden Group – in Vaughan Way.

 
Sowden Group owner Roy Coley said the flats would offer a hotel-type level of service and amenities.

Further along the river would be a 250 bedroom student development in a nine storey block.

Mr Coley said the whole scheme would help with the housing crisis and growing demand for quality, inner city accommodation, and meet student needs in the city.

 

The area of land in Braunstone Gate that would be developed

It would also open up a footbridge and a stretch of scrubland in the middle of the site which has suffered from anti-social behaviour.

Preliminary plans have just gone into Leicester City Council – which owns some of the land, including the arches – to consider.

Mr Coley said that should planning permission be gained, work could start by the end of the year, or early 2020, with the first tenants moving in by 2021.

He said Leicester student developer Jamie Lewis also had an interest, while the plans were being drawn up by architects Franklin Ellis.

Mr Coley said: “It’s a significant scheme.

“The PRS building would be an iconic block not dissimilar in stature to the

Vaughan Way site, and we’ve already got interest from investors.

 
“It’s ambitious and a big building, and I believe that with all the issues facing city centre retail right now one of the answers is to get more people living back in the city centre.

“It’s going to become a more fashionable way to live, and will boost the shops, the coffee shops and bars.

“The plans also resolve an issue of anti-social behaviour on that patch of land alongside the river, while that stretch of water itself has never really been used.

 

The artists' impression of plans for the flats in Braunstone Gate

“The plan would include clearing the river up and there would be light wells in the ground floor parking of the PRS block looking down onto it. It's part of a flood plain so there would also be grills into the car park in case it ever did flood.

“I’ve spoken to the city mayor about it and it now has to go before the

planners to consider.”

Leicester Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby welcomed the proposals and said it would now be up to the public to have their say during the formal planning process.

He recalled the public outrage – before he became mayor – over the demolition of the Bowstring Bridge, which was demolished to make way for a university gym next to the site.

READ MORE
£50m Leicester hotel and office scheme set for completion in late 2019
 
He felt removal of the council-owned railway arches might not cause as big an issue, now that the bridge was no longer standing.

He said: “Roy Coley has already done some stunning and transformative schemes in this city.

 

 

The design concept for the plan in Braunstone Gate

 

“I’m well aware of how controversial bringing the bridge down was, but a lot of people now think the damage is already done.

“I think it could work, but there’s a long way to go, not least hearing what local people have to say about the plans.”

He said the stretch of backwater running through the site was the old line of the Soar, before the mile straight was cut as part of a flood relief scheme, 100 yards to the east in the 19th century.

Once upon a time Leicester's students lived 4-6 in a terraced house, made a pot of Bolognese sauce last a week & made 2 half's of lager last all night in the boozer.

This development ain't going to come cheap & will bump up their already massive debts making their start to 

Working life a bit of a dear do.

 

 

[Parafox]

On ‎05‎/‎03‎/‎2019 at 21:15, RoboFox said:

Oh, man. You’ve just reminded me. Such a fond memory... Crusty cobs and iced buns from Coombs as a Saturday treat whilst being dragged around the shops by my parents. Made it all worthwhile.

I worked for Coombs when I was 16 as a Saturday job. Me and 2 mates. I will never forget locking a mate in the freezer and him banging on the door, terrified.

Also, another Saturday worker pissing into a bucket of cherries and walnuts.

The cobs were always fresh, though.

[Parafox]

25 minutes ago, boots60 said:

Once upon a time Leicester's students lived 4-6 in a terraced house, made a pot of Bolognese sauce last a week & made 2 half's of lager last all night in the boozer.

This development ain't going to come cheap & will bump up their already massive debts making their start to 

Working life a bit of a dear do.

 

 

Leicester City Council welcomes the revenue from all that DMU proposes. That's why they never challenge DMU's plans for any further development. In the future, we might as well be "The City Of DMU". DMU owns so much of our city. The lovely, historic wealthy homes of Leicester's successful business people in the Knighton/Oadby have been taken over for student accommodation.

I understand students need somewhere to live, but the apparent power of the DMU over the city council is worrying.

[Wymsey]

On 05/03/2019 at 18:36, Facecloth said:

Any clues on the business Wymesy?

Logistics.

[davieG]

1 hour ago, Parafox said:

Leicester City Council welcomes the revenue from all that DMU proposes. That's why they never challenge DMU's plans for any further development. In the future, we might as well be "The City Of DMU". DMU owns so much of our city. The lovely, historic wealthy homes of Leicester's successful business people in the Knighton/Oadby have been taken over for student accommodation.

I understand students need somewhere to live, but the apparent power of the DMU over the city council is worrying.

Most of the ‘student properties’ in Knighton and Oadby is owned by the University of Leicester not the DMU but I take your point about the DMU and the City of Leicester.

[fuchsntf]

On 05/03/2019 at 15:19, Wymeswold fox said:

Presumably, the likes of Gregg's etc are becoming a bit of a monopoly at the expense of 'local' bakery/cafe outlets including Brucciani's.

Gregg started out..has a local bakery from Newcastle.o.T....founded 1939, business 1951...

Greggs ,Greasleys,had also their history...

[Stadt]

Yeah, what have the universities ever done for the city

[Heathrow fox]

3 hours ago, Wymeswold fox said:

Logistics.

It’s not the company that took over Widdowson is it?I used to see their trucks everywhere.Only the other day I wondered where they’ed gone,had no idea that they went into administration 2 years ago.

[Lionator]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/tories-set-out-proposed-locations-2625884

 

Any views? Personally I think there's much better ways to spend money on Leicester. Living in Nottingham, the difference between the two city centre's is pretty staggering in terms of attractiveness and it doesn't favour Leicester.

[fleckneymike]

3 hours ago, Lionator said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/tories-set-out-proposed-locations-2625884

 

Any views? Personally I think there's much better ways to spend money on Leicester. Living in Nottingham, the difference between the two city centre's is pretty staggering in terms of attractiveness and it doesn't favour Leicester.

How about a ...

 

 

[Mark 'expert' Lawrenson]

As mentioned previously we are missing a trick in Leicester with our lack of city centre music venues, having watched James play at Nottingham Royal concert hall on an evening where Nottingham also had Embrace playing Rock City  and George Ezra at a larger venue the pubs were full of concert goers bringing life to the city centre on a Tuesday evening.

[davieG]

Leicester 'Boris Bikes' style scheme gets go-ahead as part of £8 million package
500 bikes will be made available

ByDan MartinPolitics Reporter
18:49, 13 MAR 2019UPDATED18:50, 13 MAR 2019

Millions of pounds of Government cash has been secured for measures to try to improve public transport and air quality in Leicester.

The Department for Transport has today announced some £8 million of funding for Leicester City Council.

The council says the majority of the cash - £6.25 million - will be used to develop a network of walking and cycling links to connect the city centre to the two universities, as well as the Waterside regeneration area on the banks of the Soar.

Some £500,000 will be used to create a new public bike hire scheme.

The council says it is likely to include 500 bikes available for hire from some 50 docking stations across the city.

The network of docking stations will cover the planned Space Park off Abbey Lane Park, the nearby National Space Centre, city centre work places, universities, hospitals, and the The King Power Stadium, Tigers’ Welford Toad rugby ground and nearby neighbourhoods.

The council says it hopes to have the scheme up and running by the autumn.

It has not yet been revealed how much it would cost to hire a bike.

The Park and Ride at Birstall
Nearly £2 million has also been committed to replacing the diesel buses running between the Birstall park and ride site and the city centre with electric ones.

 

Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news and allows us to move ahead with these two very significant and ambitious sustainable transport schemes, which offer real, clean alternatives to car travel in the city as well as improved transport links.

 

“The prospect of a bike hire scheme is a very interesting one, which could make a real difference to the way people travel within the city and between sites like the universities, Leicester Royal Infirmary and the ongoing employment developments around the National Space Centre."

He added: “Electrifying the Park and Ride services, starting with the route from Birstall, is a huge step forward in using clean and efficient technology in public transport.”

Currently about 17,000 daily cycle trips are made into and out of the city.

 

As part of the successful bid to the Department of Transport, work will now take place to develop better cycling and walking routes both to the north and south of the city centre, as well as more secure cycle parking at St Margaret’s bus station and in the city centre.

 
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “These proposals will help ensure Leicester has the transport system it needs to deliver a prosperous future for residents and businesses.”

The announcement is the latest phase of the £2.5 billion Transforming Cities Fund, launched as part of the Industrial Strategy at the Autumn Budget 2017 to increase access to jobs and prosperity by addressing weaknesses in city transport systems.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/leicester-boris-bikes-style-scheme-2642730

[Babylon]

On 20/02/2019 at 21:03, Wymeswold fox said:

Belgrave Gate is set to get a pointless bicycle lane.

The roads aren't the problem, it's the shit hole shops and buildings that nobody spends money on.