I think this is a major topic and is something that will shape Leicester in the future.

Alot of the current businesses taking up office space in Leicester and already Leicester based and just moving sites. The inward investment program has only really just kicked on in Leicester and will take time. "http://www.investleicestershire.com"

This thread is where new business moving in can be posted or what businesses or types of businesses on your wish list that you would like to see in Leicester :)

Very good thread. Hopefully it will be filled with loads of top local, national and international companies. :)

in my view the new business centre around the train station needs more office work. We have Cooper parry. However all these are Leicester companies reolcating. I would still like to see a government agency moving in. Along with some other international corporation. Along as its given adequate space.

As businesses relocate, it will have a positive knock on effect for other leicester businesses as they will win some trade from these new companies.

A few IT companies are also needed around the train station. Since we have alot of IT skills in the city

That is true. More new comers to the city are needed and yes governmental departments too - which I think they were interested in the development in Colton Square? Our position in the country, between the north and London, is probably the best location for companies to move to imo, if only we are advertised properly.

There's also the issue with parking.

Parking does not have to be an issue if we start utilising Leicester's space right now. Look at Bruges in Belgium.. hardly any carparks there because it's so tightly crammed with wonderful buildings - but they have a huge central underground carpark that serves almost the entire city. Bloody cheap aswell!

If Leicester is to be seen as a 'Business City' I think we need more high-quality office buildings which may or may not include high-rises.

I think the new Colton Square development is too small to attract large corps. The space is in a prime location opposite the train st. It should really have been alot taller. Also our developments are just too bland. some should be circular in appear and modern.

This is the only way we are gonna attract high quality work to Leicester!

Also posted in the 'Business Quarter' thread.

From today's Mercury:

MAJOR INTEREST IN PIVOTAL OFFICES

10:30 - 05 February 2008



One company is showing "strong interest" in filling the remaining space at a landmark office scheme, which could bring up to 300 jobs to Leicester.

Developers behind One Colton Square say they are currently in talks with the business, which is from outside Leicestershire.

Goodman says the company is looking at taking the remaining three floors at the 50,000 sq ft site.

It is one of three firms that Goodman is speaking to over filling vacant space at the £20 million development. However, this firm is the only one from outside the county.

Robert Cragg, Goodman's development surveyor - who would not name any of the firms - said he hoped to make an announcement shortly.

"There is one company from outside Leicestershire interested in taking the remaining three floors at One Colton Square," he said.

"They are a private sector company in the service industry.

"They are not an accountancy firm or a solicitors.

"We are in discussions with three parties in total at the moment. The other two are looking at either one or two floors. All three are showing fairly strong interest.

"I am very confident about filling One Colton Square quite shortly. I would hope an announcement can be made in the next couple of months."

Last month law firm Freeth Cartwright moved into the fourth floor of the office scheme, off St George's Way, after relocating its 50 partners and staff from New Walk.

It joined business advisers Cooper Parry, which agreed to move to the ground floor from King Street last year, before the new building was completed. This leaves three unoccupied floors.

Mr Cragg said there had also been interest in Two Colton Square, which will create another 50,000 sq ft of office space. This scheme, which incorporates the frontage of the former Charles Street police station, is not due for completion until September.

John Nicholls, chief executive of Leicester Regeneration Company, said he was delighted strong interest was being shown in the remaining space.

"I am extremely pleased to hear of this interest," he said. "I am always cautious about counting chickens before they have hatched, but these are interesting chickens.

"It would be ideal for One Colton Square to be filled within the next two months.

"That would allow the focus to turn to Two Colton Square and schemes beyond that."

Colton Square, which will accommodate up to 900 jobs, is key to the creation of a new business quarter in the city.

The scheme, which also includes 40 apartments, was the first top-quality office development to be built in Leicester for more than 10 years. Regeneration bosses aim to eventually create 500,000 sq ft of top class offices in the vicinity of the railway station, accommodating about 4,000 jobs.

A £33 million redevelopment of St George's Tower, which stands opposite, has created 150,000 sq ft of offices.

There are also plans to create office schemes at 109 to 133 Granby Street and the former Spread Eagle pub site in Charles Street.

Leicester Mercury website, 5th February 2008

I think we could also do with some enviromental businesses as we were once britians first enviromental city.

Also we are expected some Space orientated businesses to move into the Technology park near the space centre. Do we know who they are yet?

From Invest Leicestershire website:

HARVEY INGRAM BLAZES A TRAIL FOR TEAM LEICESTERSHIRE AT MIPIM 2008
18/2/2008


Law firm steps into front line to promote Leicester and Leicestershire at world's leading property event

Leading law firm Harvey Ingram has joined Team Leicestershire, the city and county's official delegation at MIPIM, the world's largest property event being held in Cannes, France, from 11-14 March 2008. It is an opportunity to showcase Leicester and Leicestershire as a prime business location and win more overseas investment for the area.

This year''s event sees the strongest ever team representing Leicester and Leicestershire. It consists of representatives from Invest Leicestershire, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership, Leicester Regeneration Company, Leicester City Council, East Midlands Development Agency, Harvey Ingram, Miller Birch, Cannock Developments, Pick Everard and Summers-Inman.

The Harvey Ingram delegation includes Philip Lane and Martin Jones, specialists in development and construction respectively. Senior Partner Philip Lane said: "Harvey Ingram''s team are already very comfortable operating in what has become an increasingly global marketplace and we are delighted to be part of Team Leicestershire again. This marks the third consecutive year Harvey Ingram has supported the region at the event, but being joined by a significant number of other private sector sponsors really highlights the common commitment we all have to the growth of our region. It really is a superb opportunity to help further consolidate our position and make more contacts with major investors and developers who are looking at the UK."

Deborah Rose, Head of Development at Leicester City Council commented: ''Leicester City Council is very pleased to welcome Harvey Ingram into Team Leicestershire 2008. MIPIM is a really important opportunity for us all to demonstrate how the public and private sectors are working together in partnership to achieve the potential of Leicester and Leicestershire.''

More details on Team Leicestershire at MIPIM 2008 can be found at www.leicestershireatmipim.com

See: http://www.investleicestershire.com/news.asp?PageID=55&MediaID=143&InitialView=False for full article

there was an article on the BBC website (i think) about Eurostar funding a trip for Investing In Leicestershire, where the top dogs in Leicester went to France to promote the city. I was thinking on the train the other day, how long does it take to commute from Oxford to London? people do it everyday and it takes about 45 mins/ hour. I personally see potential for a faster train service into St Pancras to serve a similar service from Leicester. It would detract from Leicesters own buisness, but it would gain in other areas. is this just a pipe dream or does it sound feasible?

there was an article on the BBC website (i think) about Eurostar funding a trip for Investing In Leicestershire, where the top dogs in Leicester went to France to promote the city. I was thinking on the train the other day, how long does it take to commute from Oxford to London? people do it everyday and it takes about 45 mins/ hour. I personally see potential for a faster train service into St Pancras to serve a similar service from Leicester. It would detract from Leicesters own buisness, but it would gain in other areas. is this just a pipe dream or does it sound feasible?

Sounds good. However, as Leicester is trying to retain businesses and attract new ones at the moment, I don't think it would be wise to introduce such a scheme early on. Maybe when we've established ourselves as a major business centre (hopefully!), then it would be worthwhile. However, no doubt it would help the local economy alot, i.e tourism.

id fucking luv to see taco bell open up franchises in england, there so much better than maccy d's and kfc and fucking subway

Burger King is better than McD and KFC!

Subway is the worst. They're on every street corner these days, and they are fucking disgusting. Who buys this shit?

They've just opened another one on the corner of Cheapside and Cank Street. I must say they are over-hyped sandwiches in baguettes and yes I have brought from there..