LEICESTER | Retail in the city centre

[Mark76]

Answer: It doesn't

But Belgrave Gate is rubbish anyway. Plus there's no obvious place to build anything as large as a new shopping centre (unlike Humberstone Gate which has the St George's retail park just begging to be developed at the end of it).

Of course, the New Walk Complex site trumps both by being both (a) large and (b) not on the other side of a bleeding ring road.

[Leicity82]

Belgrave Gate would benefit from the footfall that will be created when people use it to cross from Highcross and the new Humberstone Gate shopping Centre which we propose. It would also benefr from GS Picture House to the north and the buses that go through it.

I've just remembered, does anyone remember those initial sketches of Charles Street/Humberstone Gate junction (2001?), the corner of the Charles Street (opp New Look) had a building with 'Shopping Centre' written on it??? There were also trams shown running along Charles Street.

[outsider1]

The stupid thing is that there's so much potential for Belgrave Gate, as its the route from St Margrets Bus station to the city centre.

[Leicity82]

I feel ingly frustrated about that area!!!

[outsider1]

i think we all are rs06!

[Leicity82]

Originally Posted by outsider1

The stupid thing is that there's so much potential for Belgrave Gate, as its the route from St Margrets Bus station to the city centre.

There's alot of potental this and potential that in Leicester, maybe it's about time someone actually did something about it. Come on developers and come on the council.

[Leicity82]

I've just remembered, does anyone remember those initial sketches of Charles Street/Humberstone Gate junction (2001?), the corner of the Charles Street (opp New Look) had a building with 'Shopping Centre' written on it??? There were also trams shown running along Charles Street.

Here's the sketch (scanned) showing the 'Charles Centre' (shown with flags):

Leicester Mercury Regeneration supplement, 4th Decemeber, 2001

It reflects our own ideas for a shopping centre on that side of the city centre.

[Leicity82]

Remember this:

Leicester Mercury Regeneration supplement, 4th December, 2001


Yes you guessed it! Its a render (scanned) of the proposed Haymarket expansion (seen from near Abbey Street junction).

In a way I'm glad it wasn't made in this form (very boring design). However, it would have given a much needed boost to that area and the centre itself.

[Leicity82]

Windows Local Live aerial photo showing areas of retail potential in Leicester city centre, as discussed on this thread:



The red parts are Highcross and Haymarket centres.

The shaded yellow areas are what we on this thread believe can be areas to counter-act the pull of Highcross:

-An expanded Haymarket centre,
-New retail area on site of present indoor market and nearby places
-An 'upmarket' retail quarter at Greyfriars
-Proposed retail area when the railway station is to be redeveloped
-The Glynn Webb and former International hotel sites
-St George's Retail Park - new development?
-Area around Granby Street/Belvoir Street as highlighted by the LRC
-Area near the back of bus station, market should relocate near here?
-New Walk council offices site, if council were to move to another location.

It just shows the large scope there is to increase Leicester city centre's footfall.

[Leicity82]

The 'retail circuit' as envisaged by the LRC:


Source: BBC Leicester website

[outsider1]

Originally Posted by rs06

Remember this:

Leicester Mercury Regeneration supplement, 4th December, 2001


Yes you guessed it! Its a render (scanned) of the proposed Haymarket expansion (seen from near Abbey Street junction).

In a way I'm glad it wasn't made in this form (very boring design). However, it would have given a much needed boost to that area and the centre itself.

If the Haymarket did ever expand, that corner would be great for a land mark building like the one Selfridges has in Birmingham.

[outsider1]

Originally Posted by rs06

The 'retail circuit' as envisaged by the LRC:


Source: BBC Leicester website

This picture seems to suggest they a new smaller shoping centre or perhaps department store between the Haymarket and Highcross centre. How old is this picture? Perhaps they know something we don't!

[Leicity82]

I think that was where the new 'variety store' as they called it was going to be I think. But yes it would be a great site for another landmark store. Just imagine going in a bus past the Haymarket's landmark store, through the new road in the GS Picture House development and ending up at the spectacular John Lewis store.

[Leicity82]

Originally Posted by outsider1

This picture seems to suggest they a new smaller shoping centre or perhaps department store between the Haymarket and Highcross centre. How old is this picture? Perhaps they know something we don't!

Its quite old now (approx. 2002?). I do remember a retail centre idea for the area around Belvoir Street/Granby Street area? (as mentioned in the map above). However, the retail circuit is one of the main objectives of the masterplan; Highcross is just the start.

[Leicity82]

It does suggest some kind of 'joining' with the Haymarket and Highcross as you say - interesting.

[outsider1]

Looking at aerial photo's theres not alot behind this potential development, especially in the area on your photo thats not yellow between the Haymarket and Highcross centre, this could easily be turned into another shopping centre, connecting the two. the only problem would be the buildings down churchgate, which the Civic society would probably claim to have some historical significance.

I think ive entered a dream world!

[Leicity82]

I left that space blank as it is currently mostly occupied. Churchgate is a conservation area and therfore should be touched with caution!!!

[outsider1]

Originally Posted by rs06

I left that space blank as it is currently mostly occupied. Churchgate is a conservation area and therfore should be touched with caution!!!

Mainly by Argos, a few other shops and a big carpark (from what i've seen, i may be wrong), which could easily be rehomed in the shopping centre. Perhaps it could also be built behind the Churchgate buildings to prevent any problems.

[Leicity82]

I agree that something drastic needs to be done. The frontages could remain in tact (as with the Shires) and the Belgrave Gate side totally transformed?

[outsider1]

Did you include this in the report you sent to the coucil?