leicester city centre

[Trav Le Bleu]

Simply not true, I've wandered around Towcester, Cambridge and Bath in the last few months and all three of those were lovely.

 

Even places we used to call shitholes like Cheltenham, Manchester and Bristol etc are far cleaner than here now.

 

Towcester, Cambriudge and Bath are not cities though, plus they have a reputation which attracts more gentrified people. I haven't been into the city centre in about 5 years, there's nothing I'd want there. It seems to me that city centres are devolving into pristine shopping centres outside of which is urban wasteland.

[mhs123]

Also went to the fish market,out of 30 odd stalls only 8 were open not exactly a welcoming sight to say the least but at least you can get walkers pork pies at the cheapside shop again after its re opening..

[MPH]

Towcester, Cambriudge and Bath are not cities though, plus they have a reputation which attracts more gentrified people. I haven't been into the city centre in about 5 years, there's nothing I'd want there. It seems to me that city centres are devolving into pristine shopping centres outside of which is urban wasteland.

bath and cambridge aee both cities. Its a common misconception that you cant be a city without a cathederal.

City status is conferred by the monarchy and Cambridge was awarded city status in 1951.

as for bath It was granted city status by Royal Charter by QueenElizabeth I in 1950,

edit: .just checked. My info wad wrong. Bath became a city much earlier apparently. .. 1519!!

[MPH]

I would be very intrested to know how much rent they charge for the fish market as I would love to see that place full. Would always see Pontus Kamaark dowm there.

Make it rent free with store owners collectively responsible for any maintenance costs!

But its not like we have a realistic claim to having a world famous fish market... I Don't think any other city.in the whole of the country is further from the ocean as Leicester is!

[Mickey O'Neil]

I've been moaning about this for ages now.

I've also been to a few different cities for photography reasons lately and I'm truly embarrassed by our shit-hole pigsty city centre.

I've been York, Bath, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Bradford in the last couple of months. I am not being derogatory about Bradford because last time I went, it was a hole. This time however, it put our crap-hole well and truly to shame.

We live in a scummy city and I can't see it changing.

[Mickey O'Neil]

There are some shops doing well and expanding. Poundland Pawnshops Greggs. Business has boomed over the last couple of years for them.

Frigging charming. At least our higher than the national average of Jeremy Kyle-ite population will be sorted out for somewhere to pawn their Technics stereos in so they can buy lunch at Gregg's.

I'm truly embarrassed by our council and what they let the tramps of Leicester get away with.

[Guest MattP]

I've been moaning about this for ages now.

I've also been to a few different cities for photography reasons lately and I'm truly embarrassed by our shit-hole pigsty city centre.

I've been York, Bath, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Bradford in the last couple of months. I am not being derogatory about Bradford because last time I went, it was a hole. This time however, it put our crap-hole well and truly to shame.

We live in a scummy city and I can't see it changing.

 

That's the last straw, just how low can we fall?

[Dan]

Long rant coming here (sorry).

1) its not fair to compare Leicester to Bath, Cambridge etc. It you compare to Snottingham, Chaventry, Sheffield, Bradford, Bristol et al you see that Leicester has one of the best victorian/edwardian cityscapes in the country, especially as the crappy 1970's City Council HQ is coming down

2) the real problem is that too many Leicester people haven't cared about their heritage - Leicester is probably unique as the only industrial working class city with serious history - the Jewry Wall isn't just roman remains - it's the largest piece of roman masonry still present in England; a bishop sat in Leicester long before one did  in Durham, Norwich or Salisbury

3) yet the previous council demolished the bowstring bridge at Bruanstone Gate and were allowed to get away with it

4) and you can';t just blame the coiuncil - citizens have a responsibility too - when the Mercury did a series on the approach roads into the city they talked to people in Frog Island who said the abandoned factories should be knocked down - No they shouldn't they should be restored as small business units or flats - they are part of our heritage - what makes Leicester what it is

5)  the present mayor seems to be the first city leader in decades to have a vision of what Leicester should look like - trying to undo the damage of the Southgate underpass as far as possible - fair play to him. But he needs more power - for example really and truly, Oadby, Wigston, Braunstone Town should be part of the city thee days so that things can be properly planned. He needs to same level of control over transport that the Mayor of London has.Its good that the 1970s pit that it the market - poky and nasty - is being knocked down

Rant over -you get the picture. City fans should also be City fans and take pride in our past and care for our heritage. Cities become shitpits when no-one does

 

I like your attitude. I've always felt despite Leicester being home, that the city doesn't actually have a lot going for it - but maybe that's a common attitude amongst our people and that alone is the reason we feel it has less character than it actually could.

 

If that makes any sense.

[davieG]

Said this in 2005

 

http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/topic/8870-is-the-city-of-leicester-a-dump/?hl=dump

[lavrentis]

We used to be known as the cleanest City in England and the second most prosperous City in Europe - What's gone wrong? 

 

Hmm.

 

[mhs123]

All we want to be known for is how diverse we are as a city,Peter Soulsbry and his collection of numpties need to forget about the city of culture bid and put some serious time,money and effort into the city center.

My eldest is at uni in Hull and in places there is not much difference and Hull is one of the most socially deprived areas in England.

 

Sort it out(or is it too late).

 

On another point have you noticed how shit the roads are in the poorer  estates and in the more affluent areas there is a dramatic improvement(have a look when you drive through).

I assume some people do not matter in some peoples eyes.

[pSinatra]

All we want to be known for is how diverse we are as a city,Peter Soulsbry and his collection of numpties need to forget about the city of culture bid and put some serious time,money and effort into the city center.

My eldest is at uni in Hull and in places there is not much difference and Hull is one of the most socially deprived areas in England.

 

Sort it out(or is it too late).

 

On another point have you noticed how shit the roads are in the poorer  estates and in the more affluent areas there is a dramatic improvement(have a look when you drive through).

I assume some people do not matter in some peoples eyes.

 

I reckon there is a lot of truth in that.

 

When I worked for Blaby District Council, we used to have an area we called Parsonsville.  This referred to an area in which Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons lived.  This guy makes Keith Vaz look like Mother Theresa.

 

An area of Kirby Muxloe & the A46/Blood Hill.  Each area of the district would be on a rota for things like litter picking, road sweeping, grass cutting, etc.  Parsonsville would receive twice as much attention as any other area.  He would even make sure that his area was litter-picked to coincide with when he was receiving guests & family at his house.

 

I remember, there was a farmer's field close to where the Airmens Rest used to be, that was being used for fly-tipping by gypsies.  I was involved in building a rampart which must have cost over £1,000 in materials and manpower.  Mr Parsons thought it was unsightly (even though it was doing a job & stopping fly-tipping).  The rampart was removed & expensive looking bollards were put in its place.  The gypsies turned up with their hiab & pulled them out!!

 

The nicer areas of the district were always treated better than the rougher areas, as these were the areas paying higher rates/council tax.  Kirby Muxloe & Glenfield always came first on any schedule.....meaning that the poorer areas would more often than not miss out if we ran out of time or money.  This may come as a surprise to DavieG & MattP. 

[davieG]

I reckon there is a lot of truth in that.

 

When I worked for Blaby District Council, we used to have an area we called Parsonsville.  This referred to an area in which Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons lived.  This guy makes Keith Vaz look like Mother Theresa.

 

An area of Kirby Muxloe & the A46/Blood Hill.  Each area of the district would be on a rota for things like litter picking, road sweeping, grass cutting, etc.  Parsonsville would receive twice as much attention as any other area.  He would even make sure that his area was litter-picked to coincide with when he was receiving guests & family at his house.

 

I remember, there was a farmer's field close to where the Airmens Rest used to be, that was being used for fly-tipping by gypsies.  I was involved in building a rampart which must have cost over £1,000 in materials and manpower.  Mr Parsons thought it was unsightly (even though it was doing a job & stopping fly-tipping).  The rampart was removed & expensive looking bollards were put in its place.  The gypsies turned up with their hiab & pulled them out!!

 

The nicer areas of the district were always treated better than the rougher areas, as these were the areas paying higher rates/council tax.  Kirby Muxloe & Glenfield always came first on any schedule.....meaning that the poorer areas would more often than not miss out if we ran out of time or money.  This may come as a surprise to DavieG & MattP. 

 

 

I know about Parson as I worked at County Hall for a short time, as for Glenfield coming first then they must have missed the pavements in my road because they are terrible, the worst I've seen in Glenfield and dangerous to small children who pass along them everyday on their way to and from school.

[pSinatra]

I know about Parson as I worked at County Hall for a short time, as for Glenfield coming first then they must have missed the pavements in my road because they are terrible, the worst I've seen in Glenfield and dangerous to small children who pass along them everyday on their way to and from school.

 

The roads & pavements come under Highways which is County Council, which would have come under Parsons.  He lives in Kirby Muxloe & therefore, he wouldn't give a shit about Glenfield.  Kirby Muxloe's roads are lovely!!  

 

Maybe things will improve now he's gone?  What you reckon??

[Mack]

I'd like to add to this one of the best ways to get investment and improvement / new life into the city will be if the Richard III museum / burial comes off.

So if you have not already done so take the time to sign the petition to stop York from taking this potential focal point away from Leicester:

 

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/39708

[davieG]

The roads & pavements come under Highways which is County Council, which would have come under Parsons.  He lives in Kirby Muxloe & therefore, he wouldn't give a shit about Glenfield.  Kirby Muxloe's roads are lovely!!  

 

Maybe things will improve now he's gone?  What you reckon??

Glenfield gets a poor deal as it's at the arse end of Blaby every thing is focused around Blaby and Enderby. A leisure centre in Huncote and Ender by need I say more.

 

I worked in the Highways, transportation and waste management. I don't expect to seeing improvement it's all about cuts.

[SystonFox]

Down with Gregg's!

It makes you fat!!!!

It makes you lazy!!!!

Down with pound land!!!!!!

It makes you fat!!!!

It makes you LAZEH!!!!!

Down with STARBUCKS

IT MAKES YOU LAZEH AND MAKES YER FAT!!!!!

Down with the children of the revolution.

Down with Gregg's!!!! Down with 20 may fairs and a can of special brew!!!!!

Down with pound land and Maryland and chickenfriedland!!!!!

YOURE SHIT AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH

[Smudge]

What Leicester needs is a good coat of flame or someone who understands the benefit of urban living and what it can bring to a town center.

 

Just imagine what the center would look like if it was populated by responsible students and middle class intelligentsia. I've espoused this a few times but I truly believe that it's the future. The place would be policed better and the chavs would be controlled, money = power.

[midland_red]

when pSinatra says  'All we want to be known for is how diverse we are as a city,Peter Soulsbry and his collection of numpties need to forget about the city of culture bid and put some serious time,money and effort into the city center.' that is exactly what soulsby's Connecting Leicester initiative is all about!!!

like it ot not, in this day and age profile and reputation are everything so we get Government support. companies set up in the City, more students choose our universities etc.

Ps - latest survey puts Leicester  in a new poll of the 20 best cities for young adults.  http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-s-10-cities-young-people/story-19886937-detail/story.html

[Alf Bentley]

Down with Gregg's!

It makes you fat!!!!

It makes you lazy!!!!

Down with pound land!!!!!!

It makes you fat!!!!

It makes you LAZEH!!!!!

Down with STARBUCKS

IT MAKES YOU LAZEH AND MAKES YER FAT!!!!!

Down with the children of the revolution.

Down with Gregg's!!!! Down with 20 may fairs and a can of special brew!!!!!

Down with pound land and Maryland and chickenfriedland!!!!!

YOURE SHIT AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH

 

Good night out, Bernie?! 

[lavrentis]

Just out of curiosity? When was the year a majority tory council was at leicester or a majority of tory MP's? 

[Alf Bentley]

Just out of curiosity? When was the year a majority tory council was at leicester or a majority of tory MP's? 

 

Has there been a majority Tory council in recent memory? 1980s, maybe? There was a Lib Dem-Tory coalition council 5-10 years ago, wasn't there.

 

As for Tory MPs, 2 of the 3 Leicester seats went Tory in the 80s, under Thatcher, but were back with Labour by 1992, if not 1987. Leicester South went Lib Dem for a couple of years about 10 years back, at a byelection after the sitting MP died.

 

Google it - should be easy to find out!

[Webbo]

We had 2 Tory MPs after the 83 election (I think).In Leicester East, where I lived at the time the sitting Labour MP had defected to the SDP and the asian community put up their own candidate as a protest that the Labour candidate was white, he took 10,000 votes splitting the Labour vote. In Leicester South the Tory candidate had the smallest majority in Parliament, around 9 votes I believe.

[mhs123]

In town yesterday and seen a tramp pissing in a bin with all and sundry walking past,disgusting behavior

I think I have had my fill now.. 

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Was walking through town other day and someone walking behind me was spitting every 5 seconds. Literally had to stop to make him go past me.

 

Our town centre is okay, it lacks the charm of other cities as the environment doesn't look very historical. And it does some terrible buildings.

High Wycombe ls the ninth worst town in England, and that's official. It stinks of car fumes and curry, the streets are full of litter. The Asians spit everywhere, even in the shops. The town has very few decent shops, and is a massive eyesore. It's a pig hole.