What people in Leicester love and hate about the city

Is it a friendly, historic city surrounded by lush and pleasant countryside, or a dangerous dump full of drunks and beggars? Well, both, according to the people we met when we headed into Leicester city centre.

While - perhaps inevitably - some people said crime made them feel the city was not safe, there were plenty of things about Leicester and its surroundings which people said they felt positive about. Recent changes to the city centre were among the elements which people flagged as positive, but the number of homeless people on the streets was a concern, as was a perceived decline of the historic market, and "run-down bits" spoiled the rest of the city for some.

Do you agree with what the people we spoke to had to say? Let us know in the comments below.

Roger Coulson, 54, is Leicester born and bred, although he now lives just outside the city, in Whetstone. He said he felt the centre of Leicester was not the place it was when he was younger, and could do with a spruce.

"In the centre, it's not like it was 20 to 30 years ago," he said. "For young people going out at night, I don't think it's very safe. And I have five-year-old twins, and I worry for them when they get older.

"The outskirts are less scary. On the plus side, there is a lot of beautiful countryside never more than about 10 minutes away. But the whole city centre needs a facelift, and more things to do with children would be good, too."

Julie Stokes, 69, of Aylestone, found it easier to come up with downsides than upsides. She said: "It's such as shame the market is slowly disappearing. It hasn't recovered since the pandemic.

"And bits of the city centre are very depressing, and there are a lot of undesireables around - I went to the station the other day and had two people asking me for money.

"Where I live is lovely, though. Aylestone is a nice, quiet and friendly area."

But many people had mostly positive things to say. Estate agent Daisy Miles, 18, said: "The food places are good - particularly around St Martin's.

"I like the areas of the city that aren't too busy. And I think people are mostly friendly. But then, people do get stabbed, so not all! Transport is good, particularly the trains.

"I live in Mountsorrel and the alternative is Loughborough and it's definitely better than Loughborough. Leicester is a nice, small city with two good universities, and it's affordable."

Former Londoner Sam Wheeler, 28, who lives in Westcotes, Leicester, said it compared favourably to his former city. He said: "I like the size of it, and if you want a bigger city it's easy to get to Birmingham and London.

"For the most part it's friendly here, too. I've been here six years and never had any problems.

"Obviously, anywhere can be dangerous, but relatively I think it's a pretty safe city. And affordable, compared to London."

Paul Gamble, 61, who lives in Countesthorpe, was having his first trip into the city centre since the new year. He said: "There are bits I like and bits I don't like.

"I think it's a shame there are so many empty shops. But there are still a lot of good ones - I'm here to find something for my mother's birthday and I'm sure I'll have no problem finding something.

"There are some bits that look quite run down. But overall I think it's a friendly city."

Craig Mawson, 54, of South Wigston, saw Leicester's history as being both its big selling point but also its main failure. He said: "Leicester's not bad, but they're killing the history off a bit.

"The market's slowly disappearing, nice old buildings are being turned into shops and restaurants. There could be more for tourists to do.

"The best bits are The Globe in Silver Street and the fact we have Richard III here - we beat York!"

Mark and Rachel Platt both saw some things improving for Leicester. Mark, 57, said: "The way the city mayor is opening up the centre is good - making it more connected.

"The marketplace improvements will make a difference and Jubilee Square is nice. On the downside, it can be a dodgy around the Clock Tower."

Rachael said: "It's sad to see all the homeless in Leicester, too. It's shocking, really.

"On the plus side it's easy to get around and the M1 is really handy."

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