Its standard stagecoach colours, but I dont know why they didn't just emblazon their name where the Midland Mainline name used to be, instead of repainting each train, it would be far cheaper and would probably keep the ticket prices down a bit, because its us passengers who will foot the bill.

:lol:

Its standard stagecoach colours, but I dont know why they didn't just emblazon their name where the Midland Mainline name used to be, instead of repainting each train, it would be far cheaper and would probably keep the ticket prices down a bit, because its us passengers who will foot the bill.

I've seen 'East Midlands Trains' on the old Midland Mainline colours and it doesn't look bad at all. Though I don't dislike the new colours as much as I did before. :nuts:

Yes BeestonLad it's hard to tell where St George's Tower ends and the train begins! :lol:

Even Arriva made an effort when it took over the Cross Country Franchise. Midland Mainline's latter livery was probably my favourite in the UK.

Can anyone help me out with something, I want to post a photo off Flickr for one of the threads on here but it says its copyright all rights reserved, so am i allowed to use it? I remember one of the Notts lads before posted some stuff off there and someone came on here moaning about it? Cheers

Read the rules on your Flick main page ( I think or see the Help section). I think the rules are more relaxed if the photos are licensed under the 'creative commons' and I'd tread carefully with both those and All Rights reserved ones anyway. Even better contact the owner of the photos directly.

Yeah Ive read them and dont really understand the whole thing, its not exactly clear cut! I'll probably just email the guy then like you say

message to everyone who posts there 'interesting' photos, there not interesting, there fucking boring, none of u on here so far has posted a photo that is even slightly interesting, and for fuck sake, stop congratulating each other on every fucking thing u do or say, the east midlands is shite. and beeston lad, u used to be propa controversial and well funny, dont turn into a boring fucker like 90 per cent of the people on here. and i cant find a little cartoon charactor wiv his middle finger sticking up to put on here, but if i cud i wud

^^^^^

Jeez, I really hope this guy fucks off! and fucks off soon!!

Rough trade: Why guide loves Nottingham

The new Rough Guide to England, released this month, depicts a country of "overweight, alcopop-swilling, sex- and celebrity-obsessed TV addicts".

But - perhaps surprisingly, given the city's beleaguered reputation - it has some kinder words to say about Nottingham.

According to the guide, this is a city full of beautiful architecture and a good place to shop, eat and drink.

And this seems a view shared by people who live and work there.

Tracie-Marie Buck, 32, from Carlton, out shopping with her mum, said: "People are very friendly; it's very good for shopping; it's very good for eating; and, as a young girl, it's very good for going out at night!

"It's a good atmosphere and everyone is really friendly and will help you out and tell you the best places to go."

The travel guide describes Nottingham's nightclub scene as "boisterous", going on to praise the city's "top-quality restaurants" and "good range of accommodation".

The World Service restaurant is a "hard-to-beat modern British restaurant with oodles of gastronomic and decorative flair".

In Notts, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Southwell Minster, Newstead Abbey, Clumber Park and, of course, Sherwood Forest are picked out as positives.

Shopper Susan Buck, 54, from Carlton, said: "There's Nottingham Castle - that's a nice place to take your kids.

"There's lots of places now where you can take children. There's Colwick Park, Attenborough Nature Reserve - lots of places."

By far the biggest selling point, according to people on the streets, was the shopping.

One of the newest additions is the Vivienne Westwood store, which opened in March in the Flying Horse Mall. Dr Sue Holdstock, 42, of West Bridgford, was shopping there and said: "It's nice to have a Vivienne Westwood here.

"It's nice to have something different.

"I like the fact that Nottingham is quite small compared to other cities.

"But I don't like the crime and all the poverty."

Vivienne Westwood store manager Stuart Turnbull, 35, of the Lace Market, said: "Nottingham is quite compact so everything within the city centre is within easy reach of each other.

"We've got some good high-end stores: our store and Paul Smith, and some nice independent shops up in Hockley. There's a good range for everybody."

The city's transport is also praised in the Rough Guide to England. Geoff Buxton, 77, from Newthorpe concurred - all he wants is some extra benches, to sit on and enjoy an "excellent" city.

The Rough Guide to England, by Robert Andrews, Jules Brown, Rob Humphreys and Phil Lee, is available now for £15.99.


:)

I'm sure we've all seen this already. I didn't realize the EM was going for a joint TIF bid though.


Plans for road-user charging in the East Midlands have been abandoned after Nottingham City Council decided to focus its efforts on developing its Workplace Parking Levy.

Nottingham City Council along with five other local authorities in the East Midlands has been researching the feasibility of introducing road pricing to fund major public transport improvements in the region. The research was intended to inform a possible bid to the government's Transport Innovation Fund to take forward a package of enhancements.

However the TIF bid requires the support of all six councils to ensure a consistent scheme operates in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham without giving one city an unfair business advantage - which would be the case of two of the three cities opted to introduce a central congestion charge.

Leicestershire County Council David Parsons has called for talks with Leicester City Council and the government after the meeting of the 6Cs decided not to proceed with further research into the TIF package. He said: "For the sake of this area’s economy, we cannot sit back and let congestion get worse. That is why I’m calling for talks with Leicester City Council and representatives of the business community, to see if we can work together to improve public transport. None of this can happen without serious investment and leadership from the government. I will be urging ministers to review their current approach to tackling congestion to see if they will release millions of pounds now, to achieve the major public transport improvements that we so badly need."

According to the 6Cs Congestion Management Study published last month (Transport Briefing 30/04/06) a cordon-based charging scheme operating during peak hours in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham would have annual capital and operating costs of £34.4m but could bring in approximately £139m a year in gross revenue. The research said such a scheme could be introduced by 2016 with support from the TIF.

Cllr Nick Rushton, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for transport, said: "We were keen to carry out further research. Everybody was virtually in agreement apart from Nottingham City Council, who said no. We're now not going to get £3m from the government for the research and there is £750m which we can't even bid for. We've spent £2m across the six authorities on studies already. It's just such a waste of money. We're now going to get somebody else's solution imposed upon us in the long term."

I'm sure there is a lot more collaboration to come between the three cities. Personally I salute NCC for rejecting congestion charging! Fair play to you...

Me too. Thank God someone has got some sense. The other councils were just thinking of the £750 million they could get from the government. Surely the government could give us this money anyway to sort out congestion without having to have a congestion charge.

The government will probably hold back the cash, but governments change anyway...

Nottingham's stance made headline news yesterday. It was the centre piece debate on radio 5 live morning show. Their idea to introduce a business car parking levy caused quite a storm with most callers being negative. I however want to applaud Nottingham's forwarding thinking albeit somewhat brave stance. At least Nottingham CC is thinking about the future unlike the fucking muppets at Leicester CC they couldn't change a fucking light bulb between them, the brainless, useless, 'idea'less, idiots.

Anyway back to the point, many business leaders say they are ready to quit Nottingham if they introduce the car park levy. The MD of Keltruck was interviewed and I think he said he would move his business from Lenton (is that where it is??) out of the city because of the cost.

I believe Nottingham should stick with itand suffer small setbacks for the long term gain. Nottingham's foresight bodes well for the city's future. If you are listening LCC, get off your fat lazy arses and follow Nottingham's lead, yes that means you Councillor Kitterick you fuckwit.

Nice one philkeavo. I agree - LCC need a backbone. Rather than getting upset because another council doesn't want to be blackmailed by government hand-outs in return for a deeply unfair congestion charge; why don't you actually come up with a forward-thinking and innovative transport solution!

I wonder what the combined salaries of our transport chiefs are and whether they serve any purpose? Do they offer Leicester anything at all that we can be proud of?

The solution is so simple. Re-introduce state-run, PUBLIC transport to Leicester. It is pointless talking about investing in "public" transport, be it a "handout" from central government on the premise of congestion charging, which rakes in an unlimited cashflow to said government for many years to come, at OUR expense .. or a Workers Parking Levy (tax) which the councils seem to believe they have a right to charge, when the land which the cars are parked on isn't even theirs??? :mad: .. when all that can possibly happen at present is the money goes into the hands of private companies, whose objective is profit.

Gordon Brown, get fucking stuffed you greedy bastard. We are on a sinking ship, the cost of living is spiralling up whilst our wages stagnate. How much longer can we manage to survive in a state of ever diminishing capital? After a day's work I can no longer afford to enjoy the things I used to (having a social life! A few pints down the pub and regular weekends away) :mad:


BG

EMRA have just released their public transport map of the East Midlands.

LINK (http://www.emra.gov.uk/files/em-public-transport-map-apr08.pdf)

Thanks for that, thompski.

I note that it goes out as far as Hull, which will help me plan my day out there in a few days' time - using the city's potential first time in top-flight football as a bit of an excuse, going there to check out the famous former Hammonds department store and other notable Modernist gems in the city.

Of course, it could be Bristol if the Play-Off Final goes the other way, but they don't seem to value their Modernist heritage nearly as much, recently getting rid of a stunning slice of what could be described as 'Coffee Bar Modernism' in the shape of their former Co-Operative Department Store.

So, come on you Tigers! Let's see those Robins well and truly mauled!

Also, if you think on a deeper, historical level, of course, it's the city of the great liberator of the slaves (William Wilberforce) versus the city that more than any other was built on the trade. Maybe that's reading rather too much into a footy match, though!

I don't think you are reading too deeply into this. William Wilberforce drafted the Abolition of Slavery at Rothley Court, just outside Leicester. So we have a further East Midlands connection with Hull.

For some reason looks as though the website is not updating itself. New posts are showing though

Breaking news.

City and Ian Holloway have parted company

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/7418121.stm

A legend has passed from among us :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7419522.stm

Being a Leicester fan I am gutted, Firstly relegation and secondly losing a manager

However the results speak for themselves 9 wins in 37 games in not really promotion stuff. He only needed to win 1 more game and he would have kept his job! Its a poor showing from a supposedly good manager. To be honest Im glad to see him go, he didnt seem to have the determination to lead Leicester forward. Of the available managers I would like to see Billy Davies (ex Derby) to take over. He has that steel and determination to take the team upwards and will definately win the respect of his players. Any player that isnt good enough will definately be shown the door!

It is a shame; if milan manderic was really determined he would use more money to perhaps get sven goran eriksson to make leicester go to the premier league.

Milan when he first got involved in English football was a powerful figure. But now he seems rather ordinary compared to other chairman.

Leicester and in particular Milan are still paying for the Walkers Stadium.

Money will be tight we need a manager who can spot up and coming talent and have the Knowhow to play to our limited ability. Holloway just couldn't do that. Just one average striker would have kept us up. Our strikers were poor.

I think things will still get worse before they get better !

Leicester has one of the best agregate attendances despite the worst football I have ever seen, the support is there we just need it to happen on the pitch. I know this sounds arrogant but we really have to grab League 1 by the throat and walk it, we need to demonstrate that to the League that we shouldn't be here and put teams to the sword. If we go in with any fear or trepidation teams in that division will kill us, everyone will want to beat Leicester just like they did with Forest and Leeds. We shouldn't fear this we should relish it just as the likes of Man U, Chelsea do the in Prem. Everyone wants to play and beat them but few can and that is down to their winning mentality (and ability). It is not just about having better players it is about their attitude. We have lost the winning mentality and if don't change it quick we could be in for a long stay.

Nearly 10,000 seats sold so far! for Leicester City. I hope the players give the supporters what they deserve. Im beginning to think that the supporters are more committed then the players! Which is embarassing :(

I think i've found a possible replacement for Braunstone Geezer (from a Derby Facebook group comments section)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/koife/Picture1-4.png

Meadowz_Fella perhaps?

:lol:

The last thing we need is a moron like that. Bruanstone Geezer was bad enough with the bollocks that he used to rant about.

Dunno Braunstone sounded quite intellectual compared to this chap! Brian Clough did fuck all with Derby.... didn't they win two league championships in the 1970s under his management?

This sort of Derby bashing is amusing, i've encountered Indie types at the Rescue Rooms and they seem to have a terrible attitude towards Derby and its residents. They seem to think all in the universe is Nottingham, though I remind them of that magical place called Broadmarsh - works a treat.

Quite alot of the emo types you get in Rescue Rooms are complete pricks. Kind of like the weirdo's that hang around Market Square.

Dunno Braunstone sounded quite intellectual compared to this chap! Brian Clough did fuck all with Derby.... didn't they win two league championships in the 1970s under his management?

This sort of Derby bashing is amusing, i've encountered Indie types at the Rescue Rooms and they seem to have a terrible attitude towards Derby and its residents. They seem to think all in the universe is Nottingham, though I remind them of that magical place called Broadmarsh - works a treat.

Give over its hardly all one way, people from Derby can just be as bad against people from Notts. I remember when we was about 15 went down on the train to London to watch Forest and West Ham and think Derby were down in London somewhere too. In st pancres trying to find the train back to Notts these 40 odd year old Derby "top lads" overheard us and could tell we was from Nottingham, after which they were threatening to kill us and throw us off the train if we got on their train. :lol: Hard men picking on 15 years olds!

Sounded clever lads. They were going to kill you and then throw you off the train?

I take it you still got on the train?

Dunno Braunstone sounded quite intellectual compared to this chap! Brian Clough did fuck all with Derby.... didn't they win two league championships in the 1970s under his management?

Er, no.

I thought Derby won one league title under Clough? Didn't Dave Mackay win the other one? Whoever was in charge at Derby in the 1970's and let Clough go must have had some regrets later on?

There's something weird going on with the forum. Some of the posts I've posted are showing at one time and then totally disappear, even after refershing. They come back again though. Is it just me? :nuts:

No it's happening to me too. The forum keeps fucking up for some reason.

^^ Such as the one with the interview with Zarbibartfast? Yes I wondered about that too :?



BG

Has anyone else noticed a change in format of some aspects of the forum, such as you can't see how many people are viewing threads and my profile page has changed format.

Yeh I've just noticed that. People can add you as a friend aswell abit like facebook.

Yeah its the new version of Vbulletin I think, they've got it on the derelict places forum too.

Why can I still not see some of the posts? As I can't see the latest post in the St George's Tower thread? :?

Is it true there going to be straightening the line between London and the East Midlands knocking 15 minutes of train journeys?

I'm not complaining :)

It seems so yes.

Is it true there going to be straightening the line between London and the East Midlands knocking 15 minutes of train journeys?

I'm not complaining :)

Here's the story from BBC -

London rail link upgrade approved

Faster trains would boost the region, business leaders have said
Train times between the East Midlands and London are set to be cut by 20% after a £55m plan was approved.

Currently the fastest train makes the journey in 77 minutes but the project to straighten the line could reduce this by 15 minutes.

The plans, submitted by Network Rail, have been approved by the Office of Rail Regulation.

An additional £5m has also been earmarked to be spent on platform extensions.

Improvement works are scheduled to begin in April 2009 following a consultation period that will end in October.

Dan Levene, spokesman, from the Office of Rail Regulation said passengers will notice a difference.

"Overall, the plan will be good news for passengers. There will be improvements to capacity and reliability which will also speed up services...all things that passengers want."

Sustainable transport

The Head of Regional Transport for the East Midlands Regional Assembly, Barry Davies, believed it was high time the midland mainline saw some investment.

"It is vital the East Midlands gets a first class railway. There has been massive investment in the west coast line and substantial investment in the east coast but nothing in the Midlands.

"We are slipping behind and need to bring ourselves up to modern standards," he said.

Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail said: "Demand for more and better rail services continues to grow. It is vitally important that we get the right level of funding to meet passenger and freight user needs".

something for all three from Property Week -

http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=38&storycode=3114508

Old Big 'Ead on the old big screen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Damned_United)

The forum's gone weird again. :nuts:

Leicester's Victorian Society Strikes again!

From the Leicester Mercury:

A disease rife in Victorian England is making a comeback in Leicester - sparked by poor diets and parents keeping their babies out of the sun. Senior doctors say they are seeing growing cases of rickets, a bone disorder that is potentially life-threatening.

The disease is caused by a lack of Vitamin D, which is normally absorbed by the body from sunlight or specially-fortified foods. Consultants say that all children under five should be given vitamin supplements to try to prevent them developing the condition.

One senior children's doctor says the problem is so bad that he has begun giving vitamin supplements and calcium to children and pregnant women.


Rickets is a condition which makes the bones soften and widen, leading to problems walking. It can take years to treat once it has been diagnosed.


A Victorian Society spokesperson didnt say: "We're thrilled. Not only are we stiffeling modern architecture in favour of work-houses and slums, but we're also bringing back diseases. Soon they'll be Horses on every street corner, and children selling matches for pennies. God Save the Queen. And The Daily Mail.

I think there is some ironic humour in there ? somewhere ! :)

Is it just me or does the building in Montreal (in today's skyscraper city picture) look like the tallest building in Leicester??

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh91/philkeavo/leicesterskyline088.jpg

It does a bit.

That's uncanny :lol:

I actually thought it was that building before. :lol:

Missed that days picture, can anyone post a picture of said building. It would be interesting to compare.

Gothicform are you reading this ?

It was this CIBC building of Montreal:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/66/Tour_CIBC.jpg/318px-Tour_CIBC.jpg

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tour_CIBC.jpg

It's a little bit taller.

The picture yesterday has a much better view of the top.

Also the graffiti in the foreground of the montreal picture reminded me of Leicester!!

Thanks Leicity82 but it's nothing like it !

But it does show how utterly pathetic the UK's so called tall buildings are compared to the rest of the world.

^^ Hopefully the UK's contribution to quality high rise buildings won't be pathetic for much longer, especially for London.

^^ London has got some really amazing projects going up in the next few years.problem is from what ive read , Boris johnson dont seem to like skycrapers as much as ken livingston did,so that could put a bit of a hold on some of the new projecs trying to get through planning for a while.

Anyone checked out Skyscrapernews.com today? There's another small yet unusual skyscraper proposed for next to the Gherkin:

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1674FoggosArchedGlassAndSteel_pic1.jpg
See: http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=1674

A few tall ones like those shown in this region wouldn't go amiss.

Yes it's about time all large towns and cities had high rise zones so a developer can just get on and build without opposition from all sorts of groups.

I personally don't mind a mix of heights and styles new and old but it would seem that many do. This must totally piss off the developers when it comes to trying to get a building from the drawing board to reality.

I propose for Leicester a high-rise zone around the railway station for offices and of course a high-rise zone for residential purposes around Bath lane. This would allow total freedom for the developer.

Thanks Leicity82 but it's nothing like it !

But it does show how utterly pathetic the UK's so called tall buildings are compared to the rest of the world.

The banner showed more of the top of the building and that looked very similar, but the rest is not the same.

The banner showed more of the top of the building and that looked very similar, but the rest is not the same.

Yes fair comment

The reality is tall buildings only tend to look good when they are in clusters. I hate SGT with a passion, now if it was placed beside the tower on Humberstone Gate and then you threw in the 3/4 proposed tall buildings for the riverside development I think even the hateful SGT will look okay in such a cluster. The render above of the Gherkin et all looks fantastic but even in the City on London the previous peicemeal approach to where tall buildings are placed does not generally create an impressive vista.

I agree lets create 'a tall buildings zone'. My pick in Leicester would be Lee Circle, the area is a shit heap and a cluster of tall modern buildings would lift the area without destroying any heritage (that it clearly doesn't have!!!!!).

Yes Lee Circle would create a vast amount of land by just demolishing the car park alone. Maybe freeing up about 60-70% of that land.

I really think the LRC should make the business quarter a a designated 'tall buildings' area, as that is the area least going to effect nearby residents in my opinion.

Yes Leicester could poineer this tall building zone. And become the only provincial city in the uk to do this. Just think of all the interest that would create from developers.

I agree with philkeavo that high rises only work in clusters.

IS ANYONE CLEVER ENOUGH TO CREATE A MOCK UP OF ALL LEICESTER'S CURRENT HIGH RISES AND PUT THEM IN A CLUSTER ?

Yes Leicester could poineer this tall building zone. And become the only provincial city in the uk to do this.

Except all the other ones...

what other ones??

There is only one tall building zone in the UK and that of course is London's Docklands.

What i would like to see is if any other provincial city has the balls to create a tall building zone. And being totally biased i would love it to be Leicester !

Google "tall building zones" and you will see plans and proposals from cities including Bradford, Brighton and Liverpool. And Nottingham.

Google "tall building zones" and you will see plans and proposals from cities including Bradford, Brighton and Liverpool. And Nottingham.

I would think all city's and large towns have zones where tall buildings may be acceptable.

But these zones are still restrictive and what constitutes a tall building is subjective.

I guess i havn't got my idea across clearly. What i am suggesting is that apart from London's Docklands there is no area in the UK that can accomodate super tall building zones without major enquiries and objections just look at Liverpool and Nottingham.

What i would like to see are areas in UK cities mapped out for high-rise super tall clusters. These areas are carefully decided and are immune from enquiries and objectors.

This would save alot of money and pompous posturing from CABE and English Heritage who should be in at the start of the process mapping out supertall zones with the planning departments,not at the end of the process creating uneccerssary hurdles for developers.

Tall buildings are a great way of utilising restrictive brownfield sites. Places such as Leicester's planned business quarter and Lee Circle are ideal.

Interesting dicussion guys. The main problem in getting provincial cities a cluster of skyscrapers is that of land prices. In London the City and Docklands are international business hubs with skyhigh prices. Elsewhere high-rises don't tend to happen much - most highrises today are still publically funded social housing schemes of the 60s. Manchester is a case in point, despite being a relatively rich city it is determinedly low rise with the exception of the Beetham Tower. That's because there is no shortage of land in the city centre or in Salford ripe for redevelopment.

^^ Yes agreed London is a special case. But if local authorities from other provincial UK cities could gaurantee a developer a site where anything goes and no red tape then i'm sure we would see supertall buildings outside London.

Slightly off track but it would be interesting to compare UK cities of similar size with other cities around the world. For example Australian cities have similar populations to some UK provincial cities but their skylines are supertall.

^^ Yes agreed London is a special case. But if local authorities from other provincial UK cities could gaurantee a developer a site where anything goes and no red tape then i'm sure we would see supertall buildings outside London.

Why would this be a good thing?

Why wouldn't it be a good thing ? :)

We have so many prime sites which end up as wasted potential. The area around the Railway Station could easily end up in this category, with mediocre or insignificant buildings instead of bold, forward-looking statements to attract interest .. ESPECIALLY with the proposed High Speed rail link! Now is NOT the time to accept down-scaled proposals. As for SGT, paint is only skin-deep and we have a tower there, rather than an 8-storey building at least.

Can you imagine how disappointing it will be, when on completion of the rail line upgrade, if all the available land has been used for small-scale low-rise office buildings? When a few miles down the line, they have a cluster of smart highrises :ohno: Too late for us then ..



BG

As clichéd as it may sound, tall and large buildings signify cities and that they mean business. If what you see are basically glorified huts near the station, then that's just not acceptable.

Why wouldn't it be a good thing ? :)

Because, without any planning control, people could put up any old shit.

As clichéd as it may sound, tall and large buildings signify cities and that they mean business. If what you see are basically glorified huts near the station, then that's just not acceptable.What I was trying to say really, but you said it better .. :)



BG

Yeah sorry just me going off again. :clown:

Because, without any planning control, people could put up any old shit.

With planning control you end up with shit anyway ! :)

Planning Control isn't perfect, but you'd rather have it than not. And contrary to popular belief, it is there to facilitate development, not to unduly stifle it.

Yeh course you need planning control but the height of a building should not be such a big deal outside of London's Docklands. I'm all for quality and protecting iconic buildings but we just go too far with issues like sight lines.

For example an office block in Leicester was proposed at 12 storeys but was reduced to 8 storeys because it would block the view of the hills of Bradgate Park from the London Road approach into the city (a natural landmark 6 miles outside the city.) WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH !

It's even worse in Nottingham. We had the Brook Street tower at 26 storeys cancelled because the local bellends complained that not enough sun light would shine on the park below and kill off some plants. Why don't they just fucking move the shitty plants instead. We also had the 18 storey Odeon development re designed because it overlooked the city library gardens. It's now been reduced to 10 storeys and people are still complaining despite there being a building of the exact same height no more than 10 metres away.
Anything tall and abit different the local dickheads come out in full force and try and ruin it. We shouldn't listen to them and just build the bloody thing.

I'm glad that the view of Bradgate Park from London Road has been protected. It is a beautiful view on a clear day and very important to the character of our city. Far more important than an extra four stories on an office block...

^^ I didn't know that. Yes there is an excellent view of Bradgate Park from there.

I'm glad that the view of Bradgate Park from London Road has been protected. It is a beautiful view on a clear day and very important to the character of our city. Far more important than an extra four stories on an office block...


Agree Entirely

Ok so views are important but how far do we go ? Do we make UK cities totally apologetic to the countryside?

Surely not ! there is always going to be some excuse to reduce a buildings height and i do not think that is in the best interest of the city. If you want views of Bradgate Park then live in Anstey !

I feel your frustration, Stef from Nottingham !

I'm glad that the view of Bradgate Park from London Road has been protected. It is a beautiful view on a clear day and very important to the character of our city. Far more important than an extra four stories on an office block...

How would you feel if Westbridge 1 was reduced in height because it blocks a view ?

Especially the view of the Holiday Inn:lol: Oh how we would miss that

Should have built it higher :lol: Talking of the dreaded sight lines. The Shard in the city of London is a good case in point. It was built with a slanted side so that the view of St Pauls cathederal are not blocked ! So everyones a winner the heritage people get their precious view while the developer and enthusiasts of tallbuildings get their shiny skyscraper.

How would you feel if Westbridge 1 was reduced in height because it blocks a view ?

Westbridge 1 is a bit different to a 12 storey office block. I hate Victoria Halls for ruining the view of St Mary de Castro. However if Victoria Halls was a great example of modern architecture, then I would be less bothered...

Should have built it higher :lol: Talking of the dreaded sight lines. The Shard in the city of London is a good case in point. It was built with a slanted side so that the view of St Pauls cathederal are not blocked ! So everyones a winner the heritage people get their precious view while the developer and enthusiasts of tallbuildings get their shiny skyscraper.

Similarly another skyscraper by Richard Rodgers near the Gherkin (London) was slanted to a point so that it would not peer behind St Paul's Cathedral - heard about this on the 'Britain from above' programme on Sunday.

Is that the one they are calling the cheesegrater?

^^ Yes.

Second that. :)

North Manchester is the most dangerous place to live in England, a study said yesterday.

At second place in the league table of violent crime created from Home Office figures was Sheffield, while Southampton was third.

Also featured were London's Westminster, Southwark and Lewisham.

East Dorset is the safest place, followed by North Yorkshire and West Kent.

North Manchester, which covers 17 square miles and includes the city centre, recorded 44 "violence against the person" offences per 1,000 population in 2007/2008.

By contrast East Dorset had just 8 "violence against the person offences" per 1,000 over the same period.

The tables were compiled by anti-violence charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

Chief executive Steve Gauge said: "Police face a massive challenge in trying to bring down violent crime.

"We can all help by thinking about our own personal safety a little more as we go about our lives."

MOST VIOLENT AREAS

1. North Manchester

2. Sheffield

3. Southampton

4. City of Westminster

5. Leicester

6. Middlesbrough

7. Hackney

8. Kingston-upon-Hull

9. Southwark

10. Lewisham

SAFEST AREAS

1. Dorset Eastern

2. North Yorkshire

3. West Kent

4. Norfolk Western

5. Northumberland

6. Bedfordshire County

7. Powys

8. Knowsley

9. Nottinghamshire

10. Essex Central

Nice to see Notts is safe but where is Nottingham Danz?

Nice to know that we are not in the top ten of one of those awful lists for once.

Nottinghamshire is a bit unfair. Leicester is an inner city area and I'm sure Leicestershire is safer than Leicester. If it was Nottingham including the Meadows and St Annes, I'm sure Nottingham would be up there is worst cities.

Yes, agreed. That table is in no shape or form a fair comparison, listing cities and counties against each other. A table of CITIES, AND a table of COUNTIES, i.e. comparable Urban and Rural areas maybe, but to say "North Manchester" (a SPECIFIC SECTION of a City) is "more dangerous" than North Yorkshire (does this include city areas? Which ones?) is a load of bollocks



BG

Leicester is pretty rough. BruaunstoneGeezer lives there.

I'd be interested in seeing how exactly they compiled the figures for this table given they're comparing Counties to Cities, even missing very large Cities out completely.

The last crime figures showed Nottingham as being one of the worst areas for crime IIRC.

Cannot comment on Leicester but evidentially in Nottingham there has been efforts in the past two years to make the city safer. I stopped going to Nottingham until fairly recently because it really was an unpleasant place to visit - at worst I was involved in or witness to some sort of incident every time I went.

More recently I felt a lot safer, probably just as much as going around Derby.

I've been to Nottingham twice in my life (yes I am sad) and on one occasion watched a bloke smash another blokes car window in with the driver still inside because of misplaced road rage. This was outside the trent uni. But then last week not far from my house there was a drunk kid weilding a samurai sword at Hamilton tesco, the police reprimanded him further down the road though which was quite funny :)

^^ That is probably quite rare. You were just unfortunate to see it. I've never seen anything like that in the whole 20 years I've lived in Nottingham. That's not to say it doesn't happen.

Society in general is changing and there doesn't seem to be any respect for each other let alone for people themselves. :ohno:

Cannot comment on Leicester but evidentially in Nottingham there has been efforts in the past two years to make the city safer. I stopped going to Nottingham until fairly recently because it really was an unpleasant place to visit - at worst I was involved in or witness to some sort of incident every time I went.

More recently I felt a lot safer, probably just as much as going around Derby.

One thing that has really changed for the better in Nottingham in the past few years is the presence of people begging for money. Five or six years ago, you couldn't walk down the street in the city centre without being accosted by beggars. But I can't think of the last time I saw one at all.

I'd be interested in seeing how exactly they compiled the figures for this table given they're comparing Counties to Cities, even missing very large Cities out completely.

The last crime figures showed Nottingham as being one of the worst areas for crime IIRC.

Yeas, and all us Nottingham people explained how the statistics weren't being used in the same way for different cities, and you Leicester lot wouldn't have it! And now the shoe is on other foot, you are all crying foul!:)

you are all crying foul!:)

Er I think you'll find that's one person but we'll not split hairs.
At the end of the day crime stats show crime is apparently on the decline whilst most people 'percieve' it is on the increase. Stats will tell you anything you want them to.

I see that Ireland have a sub forum now and we have been moved up above Glasgow for some reason.
Our pin board on the UK page is different to all the others too. Not sure why :dunno:

Could it be anything to do with the fact that the HX thread has been moved?

Leicester - hardest city in the Midlands!

I know why we have been moved up in the UK forums; it's because Ireland has their own sub forum now.

Nah its cos the moderator knows the Leicester lot will sort him out proppppaaaa

Talking about forums, Why doesnt Lincoln and Northampton have there own threads? Also as stickys??

Talking about forums, Why doesnt Lincoln and Northampton have there own threads? Also as stickys??

No reason that they shouldn't, though I doubt there any many regular posts at the moment for those two places?

Well 1 more for lincoln, just moved to study at the uni :)

Welcome to the forum. :)

I dont think there's even a Northampton thread

Little did I realise another cultural facility is being built in the East Midlands - Rowsley near Matlock in Derbyshire to be precise.

Its called the Level Centre and is due to open in November. Cost 1.8m and has an emphasis on those with disabilities. A great project, unusual location though - doubt many small villages can say the Arts Council have funded a arts centre in them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/images/2008/09/04/rowsley_arts_artist_impression_470x300.jpg

BBC NEWS LINK (http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/articles/2008/09/04/rowsley_level_centre_preview_2008_feature.shtml)

Couldn't find this anyway else on the site, good news for everyone though:


The £25m East Midlands Parkway, near the A453 at Ratcliffe-on-Soar, is being billed as one of Network Rail's "greenest" stations.

The scheme has been dogged by delays and problems since it was first mooted in 1998. These have included a public inquiry, compulsory purchase of the land and trains being included in the timetable long before the station was built.

Now the shell of the building has gone up and the passenger footbridge over the tracks is partly in place.

The station is due to open by March next year. However, there are still teething problems, with plans for a bus link between East Midlands Airport and the station yet to be finalised.

Spencer Gibbens, Network Rail's route enhancement manager, said work to be carried out in the next few months included surfacing the car park, cladding the building and completing the footbridge.

He said: "It'll be one of the greenest stations we've got.

"There will be an underground system of pipes that will absorb warmth and help to heat the station.

"We've also used a lot of recycled materials from Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station during the construction process."

The new station will have four platforms, disabled access and 850 parking spaces.

East Midlands Trains is pleased that work is under way but admits the bus link still needs to be finalised.

The PR manager for East Midlands Trains, Debbie Mather, said: "The bus service is not in place yet but it's something we all want.

"The station will predominately be for people going to London.

"We want people from the airport using the station as well, but that is not where the main customer base will be coming from.

"We're hoping to attract new passengers to the railways in this region.

"We expect people from as far as Burton will drive over because of how quick it will be to get to London."

Train operator Midland Mainline had agreed to share with the airport the cost of a bus shuttle service to the new station.

But the company lost its franchise last year to East Midlands Trains, which did not agree to pay towards the service.

A spokesman for East Midlands Airport confirmed that it was looking at the possibility of the Nottingham Skylink bus service calling at the station.

Paul Fullwood, manager of customer campaign group Passenger Focus, said: "The station's green credentials are admirable but we will work with the operator to make sure passenger needs are prioritised."

Why didn't they build the bloody station AT the airport. FFS

Yeah we've been through this before. Would have been far better to have a rail link to the airport direct, rather than a shed next to ugly cooling towers. Great impression of the East Midlands that will create!!!

Rerouting the railway line would be too much for the powers that be. Don't forget we are the least funded region in the country ;)

I think the money would have been better invested into better rail connections to the North and improvements to Nottingham, Leicester and Derby stations - all currently having issues with crowding.

Afaik Nottingham and Leicester stations both have impressive masterplans funded via both private and public sectors anyway.

Interesting article here. Im not sure whether cities in the East Midlands are doing better or whether or not they've just been missed out.

09.10.08 More Stats, figures from the bbc.co.uk "looks like Birmingham fairs the worst"

Flats 'see biggest price falls'

City centre regeneration sites feature heavily in the survey
City centre flats dominate a survey indicating the 10 areas in England and Wales with the biggest annual fall in property prices.

Birmingham Canal tops the list - compiled by property website mouseprice.com - after a 17.3% drop in the value of homes in the past year.

The study found properties west of the city centre - mostly new-build flats - fell to an average value of £153,500.

The list also includes areas in Manchester, Leeds and London.


See breakdown of areas with biggest property price falls
"Interestingly, the greatest price falls are not connected with how expensive the relative locations are," said Selwyn Lim, director of Mouseprice.com.

"Price falls have not discriminated according to how much a property cost in the first place or how desirable an area was."

'No surprise'

First-time buyers Matt Cartwright and his wife Laura, both 26, bought a two-bedroom flat in the Birmingham Canal area for £185,000 in February.

These areas attracted the most buy-to-let investors during the boom and have recently suffered due to supply outstripping demand

Selwyn Lim, Mouseprice.com

"We wanted to move away from renting, but knew we were buying at the top of the market," said Mr Cartwright, who works for Network Rail.

Their property would now have dropped in value to £153,000 if it followed the average identified by this survey.

"If anything happened in the market we knew that this kind of property would suffer first, but we are not worried because we are not going to sell it for some time," he added.

The couple, who have been married for 18 months, said they were happy in the area, having rented a home there for a couple of years. They had been spending £675 a month on rent, but had managed to secure a five-year 5.5% fixed-rate mortgage with a 5% deposit.

They wanted to buy somewhere to live in, rather than as an investment, and were attracted by the location which is close to the railway station, bars, shops, restaurants and a gym.

"It is a nice place to come back to after work and suits our lifestyle," Mr Cartwright said.

Buy-to-let

While the Cartwrights might be happy with their purchase, they are aware that many properties in the area have been bought by property investors who have since tried to sell up.



Buy to let landlord Murray McGregor: 'A lot of the flats I have I couldn't sell now'
The area includes developments such as Centenary Plaza and King Edwards Wharf, both built in 2003, where buyers have been selling for less than they bought properties for, according to Mouseprice.com.

The nine other areas and streets that feature in the survey are dominated by similar city centre developments across the country.

Many are apartment blocks built alongside canals and rivers in old brown field or industrial sites.

"These areas attracted the most buy-to-let investors during the boom and have recently suffered due to supply outstripping demand," said Mr Lim, of Mouseprice.com.

Deansgate in Manchester, Erebus Drive in Thamesmead in London, Elmwood Lane in Leeds, and Millsands in Sheffield complete the five areas with the biggest falls in prices.

The following five are Lakenham in Norwich, Abbey Road in Barking, Dame Dorothy Street in Sunderland, Russell Road in London NW9 and Walton Hall Avenue in Liverpool.

The survey was based on Land Registry sale price statistics and updated with valuation data gathered from surveyors.

Average values were narrowed down to postcode level using an automated system. Streets where the highest number of properties sold at a loss were then identified within these areas.


AREAS WITH THE LARGEST HOUSE PRICE FALLS

Area Average value Oct 08 Annual price fall

Birmingham Canal, Birmingham, B1 £153,500 17.3%
Deansgate, Manchester, M3 £196,500 17.1%
Erebus Drive, London, SE28 £208,500 16.9%
Elmwood Lane, Leeds, LS2 £149,000 16.3%
Millsands, Sheffield, S3 £120,500 15.1%
Lakenham, Norwich, NR1 £140,500 14.8%
Abbey Road, Barking, IG11 £166,000 14.7%
Dame Dorothy Street, Sunderland, SR6 £132,000 13.7%
Russell Road, London, NW9 £266,000 12.8%
Walton Hall Avenue, Liverpool, L9 £87,000 12.6%
Source: Mouseprice.com

Full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7661303.stm

Experian 2018 rankings. Is this the most pointless report ever? :)
Total Comparison Spend 2018, wtf?

http://www.drapersonline.com/images/EXPERIAN%20retail%20rankings_tcm12-1899238.doc

Can't be bothered to read it (sorry tired) but DET reported on this today, frankly retail rankings mean very little to me.


DERBY has leapt 18 places up a league table for retailers.

Experian said Derby had jumped from 44th to 26th in its Retail Ranking report, thanks to the opening of Westfield.

The information services company said Derby's retailers generated more than £1bn.

But it predicted that the city would fall 15 places over the next 10 years, due to new retail developments in other cities.

Nottingham retained its position of sixth and Leicester dropped three places to 19th, despite the opening of its Highcross centre.

Jonathan de Mello, director of retail consultancy at Experian, said: "Nottingham has lost out the most as a result of Derby and Leicester's improvements."

John Forkin, director of Marketing Derby, an organisation which was set up to promote the city, said: "It is great news that we have gone up. It shows how important Westfield is to the city.

"But we can't rest on our laurels. We are in a very competitive part of the country and need to continue to develop our city centre.

"We are doing a lot, like seeking a premium department store to come to the city."

Retail bulletin says Leicester has gone up one to 16th?:

The 2018 future face of UK retail revealed
The UK has seen a record number of new retail developments in 2008 - in excess of 750,000 square metres of new retail floor space - but it could not have come at a more challenging time for retailers.

Many retail destinations are facing problems of over-capacity, according to the latest Retail Ranking report from Experian

“The quality and volume of new retail space has advanced a number of shopping destinations in the 2008 Experian retail rankings,” commented Jonathan de Mello, Director of Retail Consultancy at Experian. “But the combination of new schemes and dampening consumer demand has put intense pressure on retailers' margins and created over-capacity in a number of major shopping destinations.”

Experian's 2008 Retail Ranking report provides comprehensive analysis and commentary on the best performing retail centres in Britain and also unveils the future landscape of Britain's retail centres by providing a detailed forecast to 2018.

Key findings for the 2008 retail rankings are:

• The new Liverpool One development has catapulted the city into the premier league of retail destinations replacing Nottingham in fifth place.

• Westfield London is set to enter the rankings at number 11, to become the UK's second highest ranked regional mall behind Bluewater. Not only will nearby locations such as Hammersmith and Kensington suffer, but it will also impact London's West End.

• Westfield Derby has moved the town up from 44th to 26th in the rankings. Leicester's new Highcross development has more than mitigated any impact Leicester may have initially felt from Westfield Derby, moving Leicester up one place to 16th in the process. Nottingham has lost out the most as a result of Derby and Leicester's improvements, falling to 6th behind Liverpool.

• Eden in High Wycombe moves the town into the top 50 for the first time. House of Fraser and a range of high-end fashion multiples provides the upmarket mix the town's affluent shoppers have craved, moving the town up 28 places.

• In Hull the arrival of the St Stephens development has increased retail supply by 550,000 sq ft and helped place the city in the top 25 for the first time. Schemes in Exeter and Cambridge have also moved these destinations up the rankings. Exeter moves 14 places higher and Cambridge moves up four.

See: http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/the_2018_future_face_of_uk_retail_revealed_17-10-08/

Retail bulletin says Leicester has gone up one to 16th?:


See: http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/the_2018_future_face_of_uk_retail_revealed_17-10-08/

The DET article is a little confusing, but I think it's referring to the 2018 rankings where Leicester slips from 16 to 19

Piece in the Mercury about Leicester Uni winning University of the Year

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/hidden-gem-wins-University-Year-title/article-443420-detail/article.html

Again well done! :)

Nottingham now boasts a world champion boxer - Carl Froch! One of the best fights Ive seen and a great atmosphere in the Nottingham Arena made me proud to be from Nottingham :cheers:

Nottingham now boasts a world champion boxer - Carl Froch! One of the best fights Ive seen and a great atmosphere in the Nottingham Arena made me proud to be from Nottingham :cheers:

Excellent stuff I didn't even realise he was fighting...what was it on?! well done carl :)

It was on ITV. You can see the highlights here.

http://www.itv.com/Sport/boxing/default.html

Great fight, but a very moronic crowd I thought. Abusive football chanting to the opponent and he was booed at the end...after contributing to a fantastic contest?

That happens all the time, remember when Hatton fought Mayweather in Las Vegas the Hatton fans booed the American national anthem and chanted throughout. Its a shame they booed Pascal at the end, but you cant blame them for chanting throughout the fight, it gives a home advantage.

Leicestershire has three vineyards :eek:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicestershire#Food_and_drink

Wonder what the wine tastes like? I want a pie now after reading that...

I was on the internet and I found this...

Friday, December 12, 2008, 09:30

Take a big, sing-along chorus, add a sprinkling of sleigh-bells, a touch of choral singing and a message of love and what have you got?

The perfect Christmas song, of course.

It certainly is for Kenton Hall, from theWest End of Leicester.

The single he has written with former Squeeze songwriter Chris Difford is being touted as a contender for this year's number one spot.

Let's Not Fight This Christmas was created as an experiment to find the perfect formula for a festive song.

The songwriters said they aimed to see if applying the lessons of number ones of Christmas past would lead to a hit in Christmas present.

Kenton, a member of the administrative staff at the University of Leicester's School of Education, is hoping Let's Not Fight will revive the old-fashioned Christmas classic.

The 32-year-old said: "We were thinking of Slade, Mud and Wizzard. We had to think of what elements made up a good Christmas song.

"You definitely need the big chorus – something people can get up and sing with a glass of eggnog in their hands – and it needs to be something for people of all ages, whether you're eight or 80.

"There's a certain sound as well – jingles, the choir, sleigh-bells.

"We're hoping to resurrect the true Christmas single, about Christmas, for Christmas."

The other must-have ingredient is a poignant message, Kenton said.

"Chris is known for his stories of everyday life. So we wanted a song that meant something as well.

"It's about parents who are separated but reunited at Christmas time.

"We have odds of 25-1 against being Christmas number one, apparently. We're going to make it difficult for X-Factor. It's about time we had original songs at number one at Christmas."

All proceeds from the song, which was released as a download-only single on Monday, will go to the BBC's Children In Need appeal.

Kenton, who did not celebrate Christmas growing up, due to his parents' religious beliefs, said his six-year-old twins, Hero and Scarlett, were excited about the single.

He said: "They love it. Because I never had a Christmas when I was young, I can still see it through their eyes as something very special."

Kenton performed Let's Not Fight with his band ist at The Donkey, in Welford Road, Leicester, on Saturday.

Rivals for the coveted Christmas number one slot also include Geraldine McQueen – best known as Peter Kay – Take That, Bob the Builder and former X-Factor champion Leona Lewis.

However, Kenton has attracted support on BBC's The One Show's Backstage Blog.

Manclass82 said: "Well done guys, the vid is hilarious and the song certainly fits modern times."

OriginalDaveHedgehog said: "Spot on. It would be great to have Christmas number one about Christmas, like the days of Slade, Mud and Wham."

Let's Not Fight is available at music downloading websites.

Don't think we've ever had a UK Christmas No 1 from a Leicestrian? The nearest would have been 1991, when the re-release of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen hit the top spot. The Queen bass guitarist John Deacon is from Leicester!

Does anyone else find that Victoria Shopping Centre advert with the grumpy bloke on it, the most annoying thing on the telly?

While I was trying to find a clip - I found this

http://nottgirl.wordpress.com/

Cant say ive seen it, is it as annoying as the highcross one (the one that binge took the piss out of)

The Highcross one is annoying too, but that grumpy bloke bah humbug Xmas Victoria thing is horrible!

The Highcross one is annoying too, but that grumpy bloke bah humbug Xmas Victoria thing is horrible!

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/STOREYS39/easy_to_please.jpg

Merry Christmas

Makes me want to visit...

When this came up on the TV the other day, I said exactly the same thing to my wife: even as something of a grumpy old man myself, I think the Victoria Centre's grumpy old man campaign is dreadful - it puts really negative connotations into your head. The visuals position going to the Victoria Centre as a real chore that has to be endured, rather than a jolly Christmas treat. Even if most of us actually experience Christmas shopping like that, I don't think we need to be reminded of it. Awful, negative, miserable ad.

While I was trying to find a clip - I found this

http://nottgirl.wordpress.com/


I think she is possibly the grumpy old man out of the Victoria Centre's daughter.

:laugh: - it is a grumpy website

Check this out lol...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7789256.stm

Good on her - hopefully everyone who has been charged unfair fees by a bank has claimed them back. If not then do so...

I think the Highcross one is very well made visually speaking however my main gripe is the use of words - its very cringeworthy and makes visiting seem like some grand experience when in truth its no different from shopping anywhere else.

The Victoria Centre one on the other hand is dire, much like the centres exterior!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7789810.stm

Manager Mike Shinfield says Leicester boxer Rendall Munroe knows how to handle Italian champion Fabrizia Trotta in his title defence on Thursday.

Bin man Munroe will fight Fabrizio Trotta in the third defence of his European super-bantamweight title in Dublin on Thursday night.

Shinfield told BBC Radio Leicester: "[Trotta] is quite a competent boxer, strong and looked good at the weigh-in.

"He tends to fade towards the end... so we've got a game plan to do the job."

Shinfield said his fighter was looking good ahead of the fight.

"Rendall is close to being in 200% perfect shape - he always is."

He said the 28-year-old's dream is to fight for a world title at the Walkers Stadium.

Munroe won the Brian Clough Breakthrough title at the BBC East Midlands Sports Awards in November.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7791036.stm

Munroe defends his European title

Rendall Munroe beat Italy's Fabrizio Trotta in Dublin on Thursday for the third defence of his European super bantamweight title.

Trotta was unable to continue after spraining his wrist as he threw a punch halfway through the fifth round.

Leicester's Munroe said: "I was too strong. He was looking for a way out."

Ireland's Olympic middleweight bronze medallist Darren Sutherland made his professional debut on the same bill, stopping Georgi Iliev in round one.

It's really good that we have two renowned boxers in the EM, with one winning the World Middleweight Championship and the other winning a European Title.
Great news!

Multi storey car parks are a neccerssary evil in our cities but externally they are ugly and internally they are far from the bright clean and safe havens for weary shoppers that they are supposed to be.

Are there any nice multi storey's in the east midlands ?

Cock Pitt (with Westfield's rooftop car park behind)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/images/2007/05/23/riverlights_may_2007_05_460x300.jpg
(BBC)

Chapel Street Car Park
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/181002005_49dd395eab.jpg
(flickr/orangeacid)

Bold Lane Car Park
http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/images/2007/03/19/cathedral_view_5_460x350.jpg
(BBC)

I think I've proven my point, no nice Car Parks in Derby, however Bold Lane is rated as one of the worlds safest buildings and as car parks go its impact isn't too bad like others in Derby.

I can't remember the last time the big 3 teams in the East Midlands all won their games on the sameday!

Merry Christmas to all :booze:

Which three are those then? Tigers, Leicester City and Forest? Or is it Derby, Forest or Leicester City?

(opens can of worms).

He obviously means Leicester City FC, Leicester Tigers RFC, and Hinckley United..

But seriously.. good results for all in the footy. Isn't that like the first game Florest have ever won.. ever?

:D

Don't forget that Derby, Leicester and Nottingham win as cities every day ;)

Don't forget that Derby, Leicester and Nottingham win as cities every day ;)

You've been drinking havn't you ;)

Actually no, however I did enjoy a fair few pints last night - with 50p night services in Derby you can't say no really!

This is brilliant :lol:

City hit by "legal to pee" prank.

People should ignore signs telling them that it is legal to urinate in certain public places in Nottingham, the city council said.

The signs, which were put up by pranksters in and around Nottingham, are designed to look official.

They feature a toilet sign and include the words: "Public Urination Permitted After 7.30pm".

Nottingham City Council is now urging the public to ignore the notices as it sets about removing them.

'Cleaned daily'

The prank also featured a laminated note, headed with the logo of Nottingham City Council, which said the scheme was aimed at reducing the mess faced by residents outside their homes.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "It is an offence to urinate in public and these signs have been put up illegally, for whatever reason.

"We would urge people to ignore them, otherwise they could find themselves inadvertently facing a prosecution.

"We are taking the signs down as quickly as possible and if anyone spots one of the illegal signs we ask them to please contact the city council so they can be removed."

The notice reads: "In an attempt to reduce late night public nuisance, during the holiday period, Nottingham City Council has designated several public urination areas across the city.

"This urination area will be cleaned daily between the hours of 5am and 6am."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7798194.stm

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homenews/Undefined-Headline/article-568139-detail/article.html

That is too funny. I love it.

Deal or no deal gave their special christmas contestant a designer shopping spree in Leicester as one of the prizes. Just thought it goes to show that Leicester is trying to advertise the fact it now has top designer fashions.

Some interesting statistics from Eurostat, on Larger Urban Zones. I think this shows that the two main East Midlands cities really can pack a punch. Also interesting to note that the difference in Larger Urban Zone population between Leicester and Nottingham, is the size of the population of the proposed Pennbury.

Larger Urban Zones (LUZ)

London 11917000
Manchester 2539100
Leeds - Bradford 2393300
Birmingham 2357100
Glasgow 1747100
Liverpool 1365900
Wirral 1365900
Sheffield 1277100
Newcastle upon Tyne 1055600
Bristol 1006600
Cardiff 841600
Nottingham 825600
Edinburgh 787700
Leicester 772400
Coventry 651000
Belfast 641638
Kingston-upon-Hull 573300
Portsmouth 489900
Stoke-on-trent 455300
Exeter 440300
Aberdeen 436400
Wolverhampton 344400
Worcester 283900
Wrexham 280300
Cambridge 253500

Source http://www.urbanaudit.org/index.aspx

What exactly do they see as Nottingham and Leicester?

And why do I get the bad feeling they've turned Derby into a large suburb of Nottingham?

Deal or no deal gave their special christmas contestant a designer shopping spree in Leicester as one of the prizes.

No deal:lol:

Derby Evening Telegraph take on Donnington plan...

DONINGTON Park supremo Simon Gillett says Derbyshire will see enormous benefits when the F1 British Grand Prix moves to the circuit.

He was speaking after North West Leicestershire District Council last night gave the Castle Donington circuit's £100m revamp plans its unanimous support.

Mr Gillett, chief executive of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, said jobs would be created in the East Midlands construction industry and millions of pounds spent by race fans in the region over the next decade.

He also moved to quash fears of traffic congestion in nearby villages when the showcase race moves from Silverstone in 2010. He said: "I'm over the moon. It's the end of six years of hard work and the beginning of probably six years more. From tomorrow morning it's shovels at dawn and away we go."

When asked which construction firms in the East Midlands would benefit from the work, Mr Gillett said "most of them".
Click here!

He said: "It's a sizeable piece of construction – 700,000 sq ft and around £100m – so we can't do this on our own. We are going to have a lot of contractors on there, multiple sub-contractors, all drawn from the local area.

"This is an opportunity to bring the entire region and put it on the global stage. Customers from all over the world are not just going to sample the circuit but the whole region, bringing massive economic benefits far and wide.

"I ask the region to get behind this scheme – it is not the council's Grand Prix, or Simon Gillett's Grand Prix, but our Grand Prix."

Mr Gillett signed a 10-year deal to host the race at the circuit with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone last summer.

The revamp will see the track extended and the building of a new pit and paddock complex, media and medical centres, a clubhouse and suites.

Mr Gillett revealed that the iconic Dunlop Bridge, although being removed from the track, would hopefully be retained in some form.

His plan is to raise the cash needed to complete the work through a scheme involving fans, details of which will be released in the next two months.

David Stevenson, chairman of the planning committee, said: "It's now crucial Donington Park turns its attention to the details that will make this event a success, including traffic management and public safety.

"In approving this planning permission, we have done everything we can to mitigate any noise or nuisance this may cause to neighbours on site."

Conditions set out by the planning authority mean Mr Gillett must ensure the event becomes the first Grand Prix where the majority of fans use public transport to travel to the venue.

There are already plans for park-and-ride schemes around Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

If Mr Gillett fails to produce a workable travel management plan, the council could impose an injunction preventing motor racing at Donington.

But he said it was in his own interests to make sure there were no road issues.

He said: "The traffic management plan is one of my biggest bugbears because it's about my customers. If they don't get in, they're not going to come back and they are not going to have the experience I want them to have."

When asked if Donington would definitely be hosting F1, Mr Gillett said: "We don't know until the cars are on the grid but we are ahead of the game."

No deal:lol:

Plenty of deals judging by the sales at the moment!

What exactly do they see as Nottingham and Leicester?

And why do I get the bad feeling they've turned Derby into a large suburb of Nottingham?

I think they have...so all that time we were screaming "You're just a small town in nottingham" we were right?! who woulda thought :P

Well christ knows what they included in Leicesters?.... Coventry? :lol:

Very generous figures all round

Well christ knows what they included in Leicesters?.... Coventry? :lol:

Very generous figures all round

Seems very strange just quoting numbers like that for these 'Large Urban Zones'. An explanation on their site:

The Larger Urban Zone

The larger urban zone (LUZ) allows a comparison between the city and its surroundings. The goal was to have an area from a significant share of the resident commute into the city, a concept known as the “functional urban region”. To ensure a good data availability, the Urban Audit works with administrative boundaries that approximate the functional urban region.

For some of the smaller cities, a larger urban zone was not created: Frankfurt an der Oder, Mönchengladbach, Wuppertal, Cayenne, Fort-de-France, Pointe-á-Pitre, Saint-Denis, Galway, Aveiro, Braga, Coimbra, Funchal, Ponta Delgada, Setubal and Derry. For three large French cities no larger urban zone could be constructed as the city boundaries already included the surroundings: Marseille, Nice and Saint-Etienne.

They seem to place far more emphasis on the City Zones:

The City Level

The most important is the city level. To ensure that this level is directly relevant to policy makers and politicians, political boundaries were used to define the city level.

In many countries these boundaries are clearly established and well-known. As a result, for most cities the boundary used in the Urban Audit corresponds to the general perception of that city.

Due to the highly diverse nature of political boundaries in the European Union, for some cities the political boundary does not correspond to the general perception of that city. In a few cities, Dublin for example, the political boundary of the city is narrower than the general perception of that city.

In the UK, none of the EM cities are in the top 10 (in fact, doesn't even seem to have Derby on it at all for some reason???)

2004 figures -

14 Leicester 285100
15 Nottingham 275100

The top 13 are, in order:
London, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Bradford, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Wirral, and Coventry.

Not sure if this means anything to anyone of course, but there does seem to be some interesting stats on the site (if you're into that sort of thing!)

http://www.urbanaudit.org/CityProfiles.aspx

It is all down to what is classed as an urban area. Sometimes the Leicester urban area has a larger population and other times the Nottingham urban area has a larger population.

^^ really? Ive never seen any figures with Leicester's Urban area larger than Nottingham's, looking at a map gives a good indication of the size of an urban area

^^ really? Ive never seen any figures with Leicester's Urban area larger than Nottingham's, looking at a map gives a good indication of the size of an urban area

A map isn't always the most accurate indicator of population size within a given urban area, as it doesn't always factor in density. See my post above for an example of a stat saying there is a larger population in Leic then Nott. Also:

2001 Census-
Nottingham 266988
Leicester 279921
Derby 221708

Nott and Leic are fairly similar in size either way you look at it, with Derby only slightly smaller. Not sure what difference it really makes tbh as none of us are really competing with the big boys in population size - all 3 are medium to largish size cities with plenty of opportunity to regenerate and be better than we currently are.

A map isn't always the most accurate indicator of population size within a given urban area, as it doesn't always factor in density. See my post above for an example of a stat saying there is a larger population in Leic then Nott.

2001 Census:
Nottingham 266988
Leicester 279921

The two cities are fairly similar in size either way you look at it.

Thats the city population not urban area, incidently Leicester is always quoted as having the larger city population.

In this country I think looking at a map is a pretty reliable method of judging the size of an urban area. Most built up areas have similar densities (outside of London).

Well no a map isn't particularly accurate, it shows how big a city is but isn't a particularly good way of measuring population. Cities have varied amounts of green space and brownfield areas, some have larger industrial or office areas. Also add to it the varied styles of housing and it isn't really that accurate.

Derby's urban area is expanding outside the city boundary, so I would say the population is over 240,000 now. I would say Nottingham is the largest of the EM Urban areas when you count places such as Ilkeston. Derby has about three miles of countryside dividing it along the old Derby-Nottingham Road.

I wouldn't say population is an important factor of what makes a city, however the large regional cities have a much greater sense of identity and pride in my opinion.

Well I disagree the map below clearly shows urban areas that are proportionate in size to their stated populations. Derby about 250k Nottingham about 660k and Leicester around 440k. The same with the other cities shown. All the other factors you mention such as brownfield and different housing types is also not true, these will be averaged out as most uk cities are actually very similar in housing density etc

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2074/maplg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I see where your coming from, however I prefer more accurate means myself.

Nottingham urban area is larger than Leicester's for sure, especially if you look on the map and even by looking at figures.

If that Zoo extension is built in Nottingham, will they use the animals to inflate the population of the city even more? I bet they put bloody rabbits in there just so that can claim even more residents. I wouldn't be surprised if they put jellyfish in as well. Those buggers can have 60,000 kids!

Yeah. And I bet they're all on benefits as well :mad:

^^:lol:

Well they need some means of affording the flak jackets and ammo. (Sorry Notts folk) :D





BG

Who the hell am I supposed to want to win out of the Sheep and Trees tonight? Is it possible to have a perpetual draw?

A draw would keep both in touch with the relegation places :D

FA Cup tonight though...

Oh :(

Damn.

You know. If I was having a night out in Nottingham I'd hope I wasn't feeling peckish afterwards.

Random, I know, but I felt like saying it.

Anyone else here injured by their turkey on christmas day? This story is ridiculous :lol:

A NOTTINGHAM Doctor has said he received reports during the Christmas period of people suffering seasonal injuries.
It has been reported that in many cases people were injured by their Christmas turkeys.
Dr Andrew Dove of Nottingham University Hospital said: "There is a seasonal aspect to accidents.
"We've had a number of people injured by the Christmas turkey. One patient suffered a fractured skull after a frozen turkey fell on their head."
Across the country it has been revealed that 14,000 have ended up in hospital with vegetable related injuries

Sorry but that's funny. :lol:

From BBC Leicester website today:


New £25m station officially opens

The station took 10 years to plan and £25m to build

A new £25m railway station near East Midlands Airport is due to be officially opened.

East Midlands Parkway station at Ratcliffe on Soar was due to open on 14 December but will now open on Monday.

It was hit by delays after residents called for a 300m access road to be formally adopted as a public highway.

It is hoped the new station will encourage more people to use public transport and will be served by 100 train services a day.

Trains to and from London will run every 15-20 minutes at peak times.

Green travel

The station - owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Trains - will also include a park-and-ride terminal for Leicester, Derby and Nottingham.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail route director, said: "East Midlands Parkway signifies our commitment to improving the rail network and providing high quality accessible stations.

"It is a great facility which provides new choices for passengers and will tempt motorists from the nearby M1 to use a greener form of travel and aims to reduce congestion in nearby city centres."

The new station has four platforms, step-free access and 850 parking spaces. It also uses a ground-heat system as well as locally sourced and recycled materials.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7849786.stm

Why do I have a grim vision of some city sized business park being built around the new station? Must be the drugs :lol:

Hmmm - bet they will be desperate to be based next to those montrous concrete towers...

next to those monstrous concrete towers...

If it's good enough for Leicester station...

The station was there first :tongue2:

Good point Mark. Now back to how crap East Midlands ParkFarAway is...

Looks beautiful...are they the tallest buildings in Notts? You should paint them blue.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/687460

I would rather like them being multi-coloured.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7987/colouredtowersei4.jpg (http://www.imagehosting.com/)

^^:lol:

About the same quality as SGT lol :D











BG

What about combining the two for one GLORIOUS development?

http://www.uploadgeek.com/uploads456/1/stg.jpg

:lol: Brilliant.

How long is the power station likely to be there for do you reckon? Wasn't there an article a while back about it's day being numbered?
I personally quite like it in a weird way. It definately has presence as you drive down the A453.

I've heard it'll be decommissioned sometime during the next decade?

Anyone old enough to remember this beauty near the centre of Leicester?

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/388006

Derby Power Station was worst - it was next to the Cathedral!

And they moan about out of town developments :lol:

:nono:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Bakery-hit-pocket-hygiene/article-656840-detail/article.html

Anyone been sledding whilst we've had snow? I went last night with a couple of mates.
I took my sled along. First run down the hill I hit a big jump someone had made out of snow, went flying, bang, broke my fucking sled.
My mate brought along his white water rafting boat so we used that afterwards.

I've done a bit of unintentional sledding in my car :nuts:



BG

only sledging I do is on a cricket field :crazy:

http://www.insidermedia.com/productsandservices/archive/mbi/2007-01/lunch/index.html

A bit of an old article but still is an interesting read about Nottingham.

he sounds bitter if u ask me. maybe he has lost some money recently. Not exactly singing the cities praises...if he wants to invest in Russian farms, then by all means go ahead. We only have one large residential scheme going up at the moment, so I cant see how it will get any worse than the situation is already.

All the cities accross the country are going through the same thing, I dont see how he can attack one city so much?

http://www.insidermedia.com/productsandservices/archive/mbi/november_2008/race_for_the_prize/index.html

Another interesting article analysing which East Midland city is attracting the investment.

Lol... you need to ask all these guys throwing their investment at Leicester if anyone is willing to give a little to build you guys an Arena.

hmm, seems as though these articles are all being posted swaying favour towards one city...interesting. I have never heard of this magazine before. I think it is unfairly biased, having mentioned all the schemes that Leicester and Derby have in the pipeline and their respective values, yet not mentioning much of Nottingham's at all. Not balanced journalism at all me thinks.

Interesting article. Leicester is bound to get a big mention as never has sooo much money been spent on regenerating the city.

Wahey get in Derby!

Out go the Florests :D

It's Darbeh versus Man Yoo: The rematch!

http://www.insidermedia.com/productsandservices/archive/mbi/november_2008/race_for_the_prize/index.html

Another interesting article analysing which East Midland city is attracting the investment.

I also feel there is sizeable bias here on part of the author. An article on development and investment in the East Midlands without a single a mention of Eastside City? How about Medipark? The Science & Technology park, Innovation park? There's not enough space given to NG2 either, a highly successful scheme with tenants including the Bank of England, Coutts, HBOS & Experian. No mention of Trinity Square, The Pod, CCAN.

The way that they highlight Nottingham's 'problem' of apartment oversupply and the lack of this issue in the other cities is quite amusing also. It couldn't simply be that there wasn't a demand for upmarket city centre living in Leicester & Derby and consequently little development in this sector took place, could it?

I refuse to believe that Nottingham is losing business to its nearest neighbours. To the likes of Leeds & Manchester sure, where there are tangible benefits to relocating such as greater availability of prime office space, greater catchment area etc.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/gva1208.pdf

This report shows that in 2006 Nottingham's economy was 20% larger than Leicester's and 40% larger than Derby's. Who's making the most money again? :)

Just a quick note... bbc's home page has got an image of the OMS covered in snow last night. Thought i'd mention it.

yea i saw that too, looks really nice with the redishh sky behind it as well...just had a snowball fight on the square, was lots of fun. Started to melt on the roads tho.

Is the snow deep in Nottingham then? It's about 5-6cm in Leeds. Hopefully we'll get more of it tonight.

I also feel there is sizeable bias here on part of the author. An article on development and investment in the East Midlands without a single a mention of Eastside City? How about Medipark? The Science & Technology park, Innovation park? There's not enough space given to NG2 either, a highly successful scheme with tenants including the Bank of England, Coutts, HBOS & Experian. No mention of Trinity Square, The Pod, CCAN.

The Medipark and NG2 are business parks aren't they not? The Derby section makes no mention of out of town developments.


This report shows that in 2006 Nottingham's economy was 20% larger than Leicester's and 40% larger than Derby's. Who's making the most money again? :)

Erm Boots, Rolls Royce, Bombardier, Walkers Crisps etc? Of course its got the largest economy - its twice the size of Leicester and three times the size of Derby. If it didn't I'd be concerned (well I wouldn't but you get what I mean).

Is Nottingham twice as big as Leicester?

Is Nottingham twice as big as Leicester?

My bad, Leicester is 2/3 size of Nottingham I meant.

According to the ONS. But the city of Leicester is bigger than Nottingham.

Lol... Lears why in the world are so stubborn? Nottingham is bigger than Leicester lol. Everyone knows it.

No. The Nottingham Urban Area is bigger than the Leicester Urban Area. No one disputes that.

But the Leicester Unitary Authority (i.e the city of Leicester) is bigger than the Nottingham Unitary Authority. That, too, is indisputable.

Thanks Mark! Some else understands...

I actually do dispute the Nottingham and Leicester Urban Area figures...

godsake...who cares!! The point is that the report is misleading, as Nottingham does make more money than the other three city members, due to having a larger population in the area of the city, loads of national companies based here, having ambitious plans and sucessful projects as yet

Im not especially bothered by this 'report' since it belongs to an online magazine that noone has ever heard of. Its certainly not sold in the city about which some of its articles relate. If these had been in a paper or national business magazine,I'd be more concerned. While they are instead reporting on Harvey Nics coming to the city,im not arsed.

Ng2 is not out of town, as suggested by the postcode Ng2! Its about 5mins walk from the main station and broadmarsh (so about the same distance as it is to the viccie centre too)

According to the ONS. But the city of Leicester is bigger than Nottingham.

Yes, yes, the City of Leicester has a bigger population than the City of Nottingham.

And the City of Derby has a bigger population than the City of London.

But only a fool would surmise from that that "Derby" is bigger than "London".

I actually do dispute the Nottingham and Leicester Urban Area figures...

On what grounds?

But only a fool would surmise from that that "Derby" is bigger than "London".

Under the same criteria Leeds would be nearly twice the size of Manchester. Bradford and Sheffield would also be bigger than Manchester.

Tell me. How much aid has Nottingham city (the actual city. Not the bits of the county contiguous to it) received from central government, The EU and other bodies over the past 20 years?

And how much has Leicester been given in the same time frame?

I can't see why it can be disputed, they must add up the population figures properly for the geographically merged settlements. For example the Derby urban area is something like 5000 more people then the city proper, which makes sense for the small housing estates which just spill into South Derbyshire Borough Council.

As regeneration goes, I don't think any of the three cities have seen particularly dramatic development - there is much talk and artists impressions but little on the ground.

I agree Thompski, we are a region of big ideas and little substance. Just a short trip to Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester tells us how behind we have become.

As for the aid from Europe etc, I dont really see what your point is? Europe and national bodies award funding based on need and merit. If Nottingham's projects were of greater need or had greater merit to them, thats not Nottingham's fault!

Who here knew there was a rocket test bed at Anstey?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4okEu-RsqNw&feature=related

About 2 minutes and 10 seconds in.

And here are the links to all four parts for those of you who are interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArMOyP3okI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4okEu-RsqNw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIcFU1m8dzk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv0Hb43MkEg&feature=related

Zavvi to shut down stores:

Aberdeen,
Blackpool,
Camberley,
Carlisle,
Chester,
Coventry
Denton, Manchester,
Derby,
Harlow,
Hemel Hempstead,
Hereford,
Loughborough,
Sheffield, Meadowhall Centre,
Shrewsbury,
Swindon,
Walton-on-Thames,
York,

You wil notice Derby and Loughborough are up there.

But Leicester and Nottingham escape the axe. For now

Surprised to see the Meadowhall one in the list. Does Zavvi have a branch in Sheffield city centre too?

Yes it does - Zavvi was a relatively recent addition to Meadowhall, where I expect the rents are much higher than in the centre, where they have a prime location.

The Nottingham store is huge, so I would have thought they would want to keep it, but then they closed the Regent Street flagship, so it seems none are safe.

The Nottingham store is huge, so I would have thought they would want to keep it, but then they closed the Regent Street flagship, so it seems none are safe.


Lets face it, shops such as Zavvi and HMV are screwed in the long term. Even if you do not download stuff for free, it is still cheaper to use Amazon, itunes, etc.

Perhaps if CDs were not so over prices during the 1990s this situation would not have been so desperate.

I'd imagine being huge is precisely why the Nottingham store is much more likely to face closure than the much smaller Leicester branch.

The overheads must be pretty high. I mean, they're paying rates and rent to be located in the" best shopping city in the UK outside of London". That's can't be cheap, and it's gotta hurt their bottom line.

Well they're both destined to close, so it doesn't really matter really.

Whenever I go into Zavvi in Leicester people are buying stuff in particularly dvds and games. It sells very few cds but the other part of the market should help it stand its ground in the short term. As for HMV in Leicester this store does very well. There is always a que downstairs. If you even look at HMV at the top floor there is a new floor been put it that isn't yet utilised.