Project Summary

Aim: to enable economic growth in Leicester city centre by improving the commercial public realm and accessibility.

The Headlines

  • Investment: £7.2m
  • Project Sponsors: Leicester City Council
  • Start date: December 2015
  • Status: Complete

“Our city certainly has a rich heritage, with many hidden gems, and the Connecting Leicester activities have been the focus for bringing together the many special buildings and places through a series of key projects.”

– Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor

King Street public realm

King Street public realm

Welford Road before

Welford Road before

Welford Road after

Welford Road after

Welford Road before

Welford Road before

Welford Road after

Welford Road after

Belvoir Street before

Belvoir Street before

Belvoir Street after

Belvoir Street after

Welford Road cycle lane, pedestrian and bus

Leicester City Centre provides a central focus for employment, shopping, leisure and cultural activity. A step change in the quality of the public realm and improved accessibility are therefore essential to create the conditions required for a thriving city centre, which is fundamental to economic success in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Belvoir Street

The initial phase of the Connecting Leicester programme enhanced streets and spaces across the city centre, revitalising and increasing footfall around shops, restaurants and commercial venues.

Sausages at Leicester indoor market

This second wave focused on providing improvements to the market area and commercial space, making improvements to the Corn Exchange, and improving pedestrian access and bus routes into Leicester city centre.

King Street Public Realm image

In the longer term the programme will act as an enabler attracting future investment into the area, bringing empty buildings back into economic use and have a positive impact on jobs and GVA.

Project Outcomes

  • New or resurfaced roads – 0.55km
  • New cycleways – 0.88km
  • New bus routes – 0.77km
  • New offices and workspace – 6300m²
  • Land redeveloped – 2 acres
  • Jobs creation – 549
  • Follow-on investment at the site – over £30m