About Leicester

Leicester is very much at the heart of the country with a vibrant, cosmopolitan population.

The social integration and cultural diversity of Leicester today, sit within the surroundings of a city that is one of the oldest settlements in the UK – sparking into existence nearly 2,000 years ago, before the Romans invaded Britain.

Now, Leicester is the biggest city in the East Midlands, and 13^th largest overall in Britain. It has a lot to offer, but it is Leicester’s future that generates just as much excitement.

As Leicester College changes and evolves so does the city itself. Projects such as the modernisation and redesign of Leicester’s pedestrianised city centre gives the city a sharper, more style-conscious feel.

The Highcross Quarter retail project has dramatically invigorated that area of Leicester, creating an outstanding shopping environment, cafes and restaurants, a Cinema de Lux multiplex cinema and luxurious residential apartments.

Whatever your hope for the future, Leicester can match your ambitions, no matter how high.

If you want to hit the streets for some retail therapy, then Leicester’s shopping offering is impressive. On the outskirts there’s Fosse Park, a retail park that has all the facilities and major brands you would expect and serves as a busy shopping hub to the East Midlands.

In the centre of the city, the redeveloped and extended Shires Shopping Centre (Highcross) at a cost of some £350m, brought with it further high street names such as Next, River Island and Hugo Boss. John Lewis is its four-level flagship store, making it one of the largest in the UK.

Of course, if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll be pleased to know that the delights of rural Leicestershire are only a ten-minute drive away.

You won’t be short of options eating out in Leicester either. The city boasts French, Caribbean, Chinese and a raft of high quality curry houses to keep your palate happy. There’s also a good selection of price ranges, appealing to the constraints of any pocket.

Leicester has an eclectic range of drinking establishments to meet just about every taste. There’s small independent pubs, champagne bars, large chain pubs and locally run bars. While a variety of clubs cater for the full spectrum of musical tastes, from dance anthems to classic rock.

Established bands also regularly play at larger Leicester venues such as the Walkers Stadium, home of Leicester City FC; De Montfort Hall and the Performing Arts centre.

Leicester has a strong sporting heritage. In Rugby Union, Leicester Tigers RFC took the Premiership title four times in a row, (from 1998-2002) and became the first team to retain the European Cup. In football, Leicester City also have a proud tradition having hit the heights of the Premier League in the recent past, and winning the League Cup twice in the late 1990s.