Is the City of Leicester a dump?

[Lionator]

Probably in the minority but I think Leicester has improved a lot since the pandemic. 

[Tommy G]

3 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

I am amazed at that. Yes there are a few streets of awfulness in the centre but from the city centre alone, St Martins Square has more on offer than Hinckley does full stop. 

 

Then there are areas like Allandale Road and Queens Road. 

As a place to live I’d take Hinckley over the city centre - I agree there is more on offer in terms of shops and cafes etc, I just think certain areas of the city centre are rough and a dump tbh

[Paninistickers]

1 hour ago, Tommy G said:

As a place to live I’d take Hinckley over the city centre - I agree there is more on offer in terms of shops and cafes etc, I just think certain areas of the city centre are rough and a dump tbh

What city centre doesn't have rough areas? That's the whole idea of a city centre. 

 

Leicester needs to find its niche in post post industrial, post office worker era. It doesn't max out its student core imo. Or its immigrant core..Humberstone Gate could/should be a thriving kinda flea market,.street food  gaff on summer nights ....market Street and belvoir street all made dirt cheap, subsidised rents. Let fashion and design students flog their stuff and have homespun cafes and create a proper nighttime student quarter 

[Bellend Sebastian]

I don't go into town much these days even though it's in walking distance (just).

 

I have low expectations but I was a bit surprised to see another part on its arse - Market Street usually goes down the pan when things are struggling but I think there's one building society on Horsefair Street now that the Nationwide has moved. That whole side is otherwise empty, which is a bit crap next to Town Hall square, which on a good weather day like today is still a nice space.

 

Charles Street's always a bit grim but I popped into Wilko's, which was weirdly dead. Took me a while to realise that this is probably because it didn't seem that cheap anymore. I wanted some deodorant, and even f***ing Lynx was nearly four quid, and there weren't many other options.

 

If folk can't even afford to go to Wilko anymore you have to wonder where else has a chance?

 

 

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

1 hour ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

I don't go into town much these days even though it's in walking distance (just).

 

I have low expectations but I was a bit surprised to see another part on its arse - Market Street usually goes down the pan when things are struggling but I think there's one building society on Horsefair Street now that the Nationwide has moved. That whole side is otherwise empty, which is a bit crap next to Town Hall square, which on a good weather day like today is still a nice space.

 

Charles Street's always a bit grim but I popped into Wilko's, which was weirdly dead. Took me a while to realise that this is probably because it didn't seem that cheap anymore. I wanted some deodorant, and even f***ing Lynx was nearly four quid, and there weren't many other options.

 

If folk can't even afford to go to Wilko anymore you have to wonder where else has a chance?

 

 

While I agree with the sentiment…In the example you’ve just given it’s more likely that people are simply just going elsewhere (no chance deodorant is that price in supermarkets, even Boots or Superdrug) rather than paying extortionate prices at that particular Wilko? You’ve basically said the prices are unreasonable so it shouldn’t be a shock my brother

[Heathrow fox]

26 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

While I agree with the sentiment…In the example you’ve just given it’s more likely that people are simply just going elsewhere (no chance deodorant is that price in supermarkets, even Boots or Superdrug) rather than paying extortionate prices at that particular Wilko? You’ve basically said the prices are unreasonable so it shouldn’t be a shock my brother

Standard Lynx deodorant is 4 quid most places

[Bellend Sebastian]

48 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

While I agree with the sentiment…In the example you’ve just given it’s more likely that people are simply just going elsewhere (no chance deodorant is that price in supermarkets, even Boots or Superdrug) rather than paying extortionate prices at that particular Wilko? You’ve basically said the prices are unreasonable so it shouldn’t be a shock my brother

 

 

20 minutes ago, Heathrow fox said:

Standard Lynx deodorant is 4 quid most places

I shouldn't be surprised that Lynx IS four quid, I just assumed it would be less at Wilko. Currently discounted down to £2.75 at Morrisons. The thing that was a bit weird was the absence of any cheaper options - I normally buy Right Guard like an old man and that's still less than two quid full whack at the supermarket.

 

I dunno, it just felt like the retail malaise is going much further down the chain than it has done previously

 

 

Edited 20 May 2023 by Bellend Sebastian

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

35 minutes ago, Heathrow fox said:

Standard Lynx deodorant is 4 quid most places

 

It absolutely isn't 

[Tommy Fresh]

Hold on, Lynx products are available other than at Christmas?

[Parafox]

5 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Hold on, Lynx products are available other than at Christmas?

Yes, But without the fancy box Are you prepared to go to that extreme?

Edited 20 May 2023 by Parafox

[Heathrow fox]

15 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

It absolutely isn't 

A standard 250ml can of Africa is £4 or more most places.unless discounted🤷‍♂️

[SpacedX]

5 minutes ago, Parafox said:

Yes, But without the fancy box Are you prepared to go to that extreme?

[Parafox]

23 minutes ago, Line-X said:

 

I'll take that and raise you this :

 

 

Includes free spray tan... 

Edited 20 May 2023 by Parafox

[davieG]

Or

 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/part-leicestershire-ranked-unhappiest-place-8565739

 

Part of Leicestershire ranked unhappiest place in entire country by the people that live there
Residents were asked to rate anxiety levels, happiness, life satisfaction and the feeling that the things done in one’s life are worthwhile

ByHannah RichardsonLocal Democracy Reporter
04:00, 3 JUL 2023

People were asked how happy they are

One area of Leicestershire has been revealed as the worst place in the country to live if you want a happy and satisfying life. Melton borough came in dead last for wellbeing, new data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows.

The stats take into account anxiety levels, happiness, life satisfaction and the feeling that the things done in one’s life are worthwhile. Melton Borough ranked 393rd of 393 local authority areas.

In comparison, Blaby district is not just the area with the highest wellbeing levels of all the local authority areas, it is the fourth best place to live in the country based on the data collected by the ONS. The ONS asked the population to rate each of the four categories on a scale of 0-10.

 

Blaby district residents responded with an average of 2.9 for anxiety, 8 for happiness, 8.1 for life satisfaction and 8.3 for a feeling that things done are worthwhile. Melton residents are actually less anxious than those in Blaby, responding with an average of 2.1, 7.2, 7 and 7.6 correspondingly.

Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said he was “delighted official data has shown that Blaby District is one of the best places to live in the UK. “But we are not surprised”, he added, “This is the feedback we regularly receive from our residents. We are immensely proud of our District and all it provides for our residents, from employment and business opportunities to great retail outlets, amazing places to visit and of course our friendly and vibrant neighbourhoods with excellent facilities.”

LeicestershireLive did approach Melton Borough Council for a comment on their position at the bottom of the rankings. A spokeswoman said this was the first the council knew of the data, adding their teams “are going to have a look at the report and analyse the data so we can get a better understanding of the feedback”.

North West Leicestershire district came second locally and 13th overall, Hinckley and Bosworth borough was not far behind at 15th nationally, followed by Charnwood borough which came in 28th nationally. Then there was a steep drop off with Leicester ranked next at 193rd nationwide, and Harborough District close behind at 197. Oadby and Wigston did not appear in the rankings.

The issue of wellbeing was raised in Parliament last week as many MPs from all sides of the political divide threw their support behind a manifesto seeking to place the wellbeing of people at the heart of the UK’s policy agenda. Members of the Labour Party, Conservatives, Greens and Plaid Cymru signed the Como Wellbeing Manifesto, first launched by long-time economist Professor Lord Richard Layard at the World Happiness Summit earlier in 2023.

It calls on policymakers, businesses, schools, and individuals to reappraise the ultimate goal for society to focus more on people’s wellbeing: their enjoyment of life, their sense of satisfaction and of fulfilment. Lord Layard, co-founder of the World Wellbeing Movement and also an editor of the World Happiness Report, said: “There is no measure more important than how we feel about our lives. Plenty more can and should be taken into account – our health, our work, the economy – but they all matter because of how they make us feel.

“This idea can be traced back to the philosophers of the Enlightenment, such as Jeremy Bentham, who stated that happiness should be the ultimate meaning and purpose in life. We hope that by issuing this challenge to the Government, businesses and schools, that we can build a happier world. Let’s put wellbeing first: there could be no more inspiring purpose for our lives.” The ONS has published data on measures of wellbeing since 2011.

[PAULCFC]

I live in LFE......and it's bad,can't go in a room without Fly Spray....something needs to be done!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-66087878

[David Hankey]

I visited someone on Sunday at the Ibis Hotel at the city end of Swain Street and from that point of view I would say the City of Leicester looks a "dump".

 

The surroundings looked unkempt and in need of modernising in some cases.

 

I was born in Leicester and have resided in the county since the early 70's and rarely come into the city centre a) because I have no need to and b) many areas are dilapidated and run down.

[lcfc278]

19 hours ago, PAULCFC said:

I live in LFE......and it's bad,can't go in a room without Fly Spray....something needs to be done!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-66087878

I read this yesterday and can't get my head around it. Why is it so bad there? Some of the pictures with the jars filled with flies, mental.

[Lako42]

19 minutes ago, lcfc278 said:

I read this yesterday and can't get my head around it. Why is it so bad there? Some of the pictures with the jars filled with flies, mental.

Nobody showers

[Footballwipe]

21 hours ago, PAULCFC said:

I live in LFE......and it's bad,can't go in a room without Fly Spray....something needs to be done!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-66087878

 

2 hours ago, lcfc278 said:

I read this yesterday and can't get my head around it. Why is it so bad there? Some of the pictures with the jars filled with flies, mental.

Been following this for some years as it's in my neck of the woods and I used to have vested interest, but in summary

 

- A nearby recycling plant has license changed and flies explode in numbers, appearing around houses close to said site

- Investigations rule out nearby watercourses etc and the like

- Casepak vehemently deny it's them and have been quire litigious about it (threatened local DC with legal action, threatened residents flying drones whilst investigating with legal action)

- Issue is that it's permitted by EA, in City area but Blaby residents suffer, BDC and LCC have basically zero power and EA as a national org are slow at best

 

I suspect the only way the situation would end was if the nearby recycling plant either closed or had its license changed. The flies would likely magically disappear.

 

It must also be said that some people in the surrounding areas (Kirby M, New Lubbesthorpe) seem to think they're also suffering with a lot of flies due to this, when in fact it's probably that it's summer in near-countryside areas and there's an uptick in flies. What the residents of this area (Packer Avenue and very close by) are suffering horrendously and I feel desperately sorry for them. Only one way to resolve the issue but it feels a million miles off tbh.

[lcfc278]

1 hour ago, Footballwipe said:

 

Been following this for some years as it's in my neck of the woods and I used to have vested interest, but in summary

 

- A nearby recycling plant has license changed and flies explode in numbers, appearing around houses close to said site

- Investigations rule out nearby watercourses etc and the like

- Casepak vehemently deny it's them and have been quire litigious about it (threatened local DC with legal action, threatened residents flying drones whilst investigating with legal action)

- Issue is that it's permitted by EA, in City area but Blaby residents suffer, BDC and LCC have basically zero power and EA as a national org are slow at best

 

I suspect the only way the situation would end was if the nearby recycling plant either closed or had its license changed. The flies would likely magically disappear.

 

It must also be said that some people in the surrounding areas (Kirby M, New Lubbesthorpe) seem to think they're also suffering with a lot of flies due to this, when in fact it's probably that it's summer in near-countryside areas and there's an uptick in flies. What the residents of this area (Packer Avenue and very close by) are suffering horrendously and I feel desperately sorry for them. Only one way to resolve the issue but it feels a million miles off tbh.

Sounds like a massive longshot but it's a shame the different councils can't come together and approach the EA about it or try and push some action as to have been living like that for 2/3 years must be like hell.

 

I imagine it's most likely affected property prices there as well an the ability to sell/move.

[Lako42]

1 hour ago, Footballwipe said:

 

Been following this for some years as it's in my neck of the woods and I used to have vested interest, but in summary

 

- A nearby recycling plant has license changed and flies explode in numbers, appearing around houses close to said site

- Investigations rule out nearby watercourses etc and the like

- Casepak vehemently deny it's them and have been quire litigious about it (threatened local DC with legal action, threatened residents flying drones whilst investigating with legal action)

- Issue is that it's permitted by EA, in City area but Blaby residents suffer, BDC and LCC have basically zero power and EA as a national org are slow at best

 

I suspect the only way the situation would end was if the nearby recycling plant either closed or had its license changed. The flies would likely magically disappear.

 

It must also be said that some people in the surrounding areas (Kirby M, New Lubbesthorpe) seem to think they're also suffering with a lot of flies due to this, when in fact it's probably that it's summer in near-countryside areas and there's an uptick in flies. What the residents of this area (Packer Avenue and very close by) are suffering horrendously and I feel desperately sorry for them. Only one way to resolve the issue but it feels a million miles off tbh.

Residents need to get much more organised and work together to really make this an issue for all parties concerned. 

 

 

Of course they probably wont because is Britain. 

[CosbehFox]

I work alongside a retail agent now. 

 

He was telling how outside of the major UK cities - the other cities are really struggling. Units closed galore. Footfall is appalling. 

 

However, towns are doing really well - the likes of Market Harborough for example is in a good shape relatively. Basically people stay more local. The reduction in offices has killed footfall to cities. 

Edited 6 July 2023 by CosbehFox

[Lionator]

Well according to our wonderful home secretary, our city is proof that multi-culturalism is a failure. I know there were issues last year but I really disagree with her analysis.

 

Home Secretary accused of 'ignorance or malice' over citing Leicester as an example of 'failed' multiculturalism - Leicestershire Live (leicestermercury.co.uk)

 

Also the cause of trouble which occurred last year was an imported social issue from India, not an example of discord in Leicester.

Edited 27 September 2023 by Lionator

[westernpark]

1 minute ago, Lionator said:

Well according to our wonderful home secretary, our city is proof that multi-culturalism is a failure. I know there were issues last year but I really disagree with her analysis.

 

Home Secretary accused of 'ignorance or malice' over citing Leicester as an example of 'failed' multiculturalism - Leicestershire Live (leicestermercury.co.uk)

Narborough road is somewhere I’d disagree with the mayor, there are issues down there that are caused by a transient population(cannabis grows on every road and anecdotal evidence from myself that would suggest it isn’t very safe).However, that is also a result of studentification within the area. Nonetheless, the issues last year are lazy evidence, if cited by the current Home Secretary, it is a very nuanced issue that doesn’t have a basic explanation. This city is great for its diversity and multiculturalism but less of a black and white opinion on it is needed, people can disagree with various points and not be categorised as being polar opposites of each other. Unlike what Braverman is attempting to do!