Leicester lines up £4m city centre investment drive

Leicester city centre could receive £4 million for public realm improvements, vacant shop units, events infrastructure and future regeneration projects.

Leicester City Council plans to use funding from the Government’s Growing Places Fund, with £1.3 million earmarked for improvements to the Market Place and Lanes. The work would cover buildings, shopfronts, lighting, public spaces and additional market stalls.

A further £1.75 million would support future regeneration at Midland Street, including plans for commercial development. Other allocations include £300,000 for improvements around city centre gateways such as the railway station, bus station and car parks, and £250,000 for measures targeting antisocial behaviour hotspots.

The programme also proposes £200,000 to improve vacant commercial premises and bring empty units back into use, alongside £200,000 for festivals and events infrastructure.

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “We have made significant investment into the city centre in recent years, and this funding will allow us to do even more to make it an attractive and welcoming destination.

“It will boost the work that goes on every day to make it a place that residents can be proud of, and that visitors choose to return to time and again.”

The council took over management of the Growing Places Fund following the closure of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership. It says £10.2 million remains in the fund, including £4 million proposed for Leicestershire County Council.

The City Mayor is due to make a formal decision on the allocation on 18 August.