A major revamp has transformed a forgotten street in Leicester

Leicester City Council has completed work to reconstruct St George Street to create a more attractive and accessible route into the city.  

The new footpath, situated between St George’s Way and Queen Street, now has stronger links between the railway station, city centre and main attractions such as the Curve Theatre and Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre.  

Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership received £1.9m under the Building Fund, a pot of government money, to support the new revamp, create more jobs and support economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Work completed on St George Street has formed entrances to St George’s Churchyard, Mercury Place, and existing children’s play areas.  

As well as helping children enter play areas, the stretch of road has turned greener as it features rainwater gardens and there are plans to plant trees towards the end of this year.  

A new lawned area has been assembled at the junction with St George’s Way and a wall has been lowered to help open the area and create an attractive approach through to St George’s Cultural Quarter.  

Andy Reed OBE, Co-Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Board said: ‘Greener growth is one of our strategic priorities and the work done at St George’s Street and Granby Street will encourage sustainable movement through the city.’ 

Improvements have also been made to Northampton Street to provide wider footpaths, and to the existing contraflow cycle lane between Dover Street and the inner ring road to provide a safe route for people on bikes.  

Cllr Adam Clarke, Deputy City Mayor who leads on transport, clean air and climate emergency said: ‘The improvements carried out to these two important streets have helped make these important routes safer and much more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.  

‘It has completely transformed the look and feel of the street and made this important route to through to the Cultural Quarter more welcoming and obvious for people, especially those arriving by train.’  

Photo by Gonzalo Facello