A City of Contrasts

Leicester is a city with a long and varied past engrained in the fabric of its buildings and the character of its businesses and people, but it is also a city which looks to the future. It is a city with the commitment to develop a quality environment over the next thirty years. More than anything it is a city of diversity, offering citizens and visitors alike the benefits of a cosmopolitan environment.

The city has long been a major commercial and manufacturing centre for the Midlands. Within the region, all roads lead to Leicester and there is easy access from London, East Midlands and Birmingham International airports. Although there have been substantial changes in the local economy over the last decade, Leicester is still a city founded on manufacturing. A third of the city's workers are in manufacturing - mostly in textiles and clothing, but also in electronics, food and drink, printing and plastics.

Commerce is the lifeblood of Leicester. Our famous covered market is amongst the largest in Europe and dates back seven hundred years. It is the vital heart of a trading city and a key part of our identity. In the nineteenth century, the city became one of the great engines of Victorian production, but never lost its character as a market town. The enterprise culture has always thrived here and the flourishing of thousands of Asian-owned businesses in the last twenty five years is but the latest example.

The 1980's and 1990's have seen improvements in the city; making it a better place to live, work and visit.

A Creative City

Leicester is a creative city. In 2003 the leading consultancy group Demos developed a “Bohemian Index” based on the creativity of the UK’s leading cities. The City of Leicester ranked second on this index ahead of Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool and Nottingham.

The Environment

Leicester enjoys the distinction of being Britain’s first 'Environment City' and the greening of the city was singled out for special praise at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. Internationally, we are at the forefront of urban nature conservation and sustainable development.

Shopping

New businesses have been attracted to Leicester’s renovated city centre. Restored buildings, pedestrianised streets and squares, an abundance of trees and flowers, and a dazzling new shopping mall add up to a retail revolution and a renewed sense of civic pride.

Education

There has always been a strong tradition of education both in the city and the county, but now Leicester is fast becoming an important centre of excellence. The city’s two universities are engaged in socially-relevant research and teaching, and attract around 24,000 students. Add those at further education colleges and it means that, in term time, students make up over 10% of Leicester’s population.

Space odyssey

As a student you cannot spend your time in Leicester without at least one visit to the UK’s National Space Centre. The centre provides a spectacular voyage of space and man’s attempts to understand and traverse it. It is also a research base for University staff from our Space Research Centre and was “mission control” for the UK’s first mission to another planet – the Beagle 2 Mars Probe.

Access

There is a commitment to making Leicester as accessible as possible. Park and ride, car-sharing and cycle promotion schemes reduce traffic congestion while carefully-timed lights speed its flow. The need to create an obstacle-free environment for disabled people is also a priority, with sloping kerbs and textured pavements at road junctions just some of the many initiatives.

Tourism

Leicester's central location is a distinct advantage for business, but the city is now drawing an increasing number of visitors. They are attracted by the city’s rich history, its special character, and new shopping opportunities. It is appropriate that in the city where Thomas Cook invented the holiday excursion, tourism should now support 3,000 jobs.