Latest news with #SirPeterSoulsby
BBC News
19-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Crowd safety fears could prompt Leicester Diwali event relocation
Leicester's world-famous Diwali celebrations could be moved to another part of the city because of crowd safety Road, known as the Golden Mile, has traditionally hosted annual festivities attended by tens of thousands of people to mark the Hindu festival of Leicester City Council said it was considering other potential locations as it planned this year's event in October."Our Diwali celebrations have become so popular and well attended we now have to consider moving them to a safer location," said city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby. "The advice we have had is that the crowds it now attracts are too large for the area - which is quite constrained."What we do not want is for anyone to be hurt should there be a surge in the crowd." 'More suitable location' Soulsby said discussions had been held with businesses and community groups in Belgrave about other possible said these included Abbey Park, the city centre or Belgrave Circle."In many ways, the Diwali celebrations have become a victim of their own success because of how many people attend," he added."There are pinch points where so many people gather; it is a concern that people could be hurt." A city council spokesperson said: "There have been several meetings over recent months with members of the Diwali safety advisory group and community representatives to discuss concerns about public safety at the popular event due to increasing crowd numbers."A further follow-up meeting attended by the city mayor, executive lead for culture and representatives from the emergency services and the community will take place to review options being considered including moving the event to a more suitable location, although no decisions have yet been taken."A police spokesperson said: "The Diwali celebrations in Leicester are part of our city's culture and history, and an occasion that Leicestershire Police has always been extremely proud to support."Following concerns raised by the Safety Advisory Group – which consists of all emergency services, Leicester City Council as the event organisers and Showsec – about public safety at the event, we continue to liaise with our partners in relation to the event." In 2024, the council made a cost-cutting decision to scale back the city's Diwali celebrations by holding a single event, in Belgrave Road, to mark Diwali Day decided not to hold a separate event to mark the turning on of Diwali street illuminations along the Golden Mile. Soulsby added: "Whatever decision is made about the future location [of the celebration] we are determined to keep the Diwali lights on Belgrave Road."
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council to keep new flats for homeless families
Leicester City Council looks set to keep an apartment block being built as part of a new 350-home development. The Waterside project, being delivered by the authority and Keepmoat Homes, is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, said the developer. So far, more than 200 homes - a mixture of houses and flats - have been built, as well as public open spaces on former factory sites along the banks of the Grand Union Canal. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is set to approve on Monday the retention of Lambert House, a block of eight two-bed flats, to be used as temporary accommodation for families who have declared themselves homeless. In a report, officers said the property would be a "significant" contribution to the council's target to deliver 1,500 "new council, social or supported living homes" by 2027. It added: "The city has experienced growing levels of homelessness and this, in turn, has led to a growing number of households in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation." The Waterside project has also included the refurbishment of the bridge connecting Soar Lane to Soar Island, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Construction of 34 homes on Soar Island is expected to be completed by the end of the year according to Keepmoat, while 53 homes will be built in the Canal Frontage phase by the end of 2026. A "specialist care block" is also due to be developed by a third-party company with that work due to start later this year, Keepmoat said, and four commercial units are also planned. Keepmoat said the project would be an £80m-plus investment into the regeneration of the area. It added that the scheme would "help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester's waterways". Soulsby said the area had "for a long time had immense potential for regeneration" and the project will "transform Waterside into a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood in which to live and work". Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Council to buy student flats to house homeless £26m makeover for 'neglected' area Local Democracy Reporting Service Leicester City Council
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council to keep new flats for homeless families
Leicester City Council looks set to keep an apartment block being built as part of a new 350-home development. The Waterside project, being delivered by the authority and Keepmoat Homes, is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, said the developer. So far, more than 200 homes - a mixture of houses and flats - have been built, as well as public open spaces on former factory sites along the banks of the Grand Union Canal. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is set to approve on Monday the retention of Lambert House, a block of eight two-bed flats, to be used as temporary accommodation for families who have declared themselves homeless. In a report, officers said the property would be a "significant" contribution to the council's target to deliver 1,500 "new council, social or supported living homes" by 2027. It added: "The city has experienced growing levels of homelessness and this, in turn, has led to a growing number of households in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation." The Waterside project has also included the refurbishment of the bridge connecting Soar Lane to Soar Island, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Construction of 34 homes on Soar Island is expected to be completed by the end of the year according to Keepmoat, while 53 homes will be built in the Canal Frontage phase by the end of 2026. A "specialist care block" is also due to be developed by a third-party company with that work due to start later this year, Keepmoat said, and four commercial units are also planned. Keepmoat said the project would be an £80m-plus investment into the regeneration of the area. It added that the scheme would "help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester's waterways". Soulsby said the area had "for a long time had immense potential for regeneration" and the project will "transform Waterside into a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood in which to live and work". Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Council to buy student flats to house homeless £26m makeover for 'neglected' area Local Democracy Reporting Service Leicester City Council
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leicester City Council to keep Waterside flats for social housing
Leicester City Council looks set to keep an apartment block being built as part of a new 350-home Waterside project, being delivered by the authority and Keepmoat Homes, is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, said the far, more than 200 homes - a mixture of houses and flats - have been built, as well as public open spaces on former factory sites along the banks of the Grand Union mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is set to approve on Monday the retention of Lambert House, a block of eight two-bed flats, to be used as temporary accommodation for families who have declared themselves homeless. In a report, officers said the property would be a "significant" contribution to the council's target to deliver 1,500 "new council, social or supported living homes" by added: "The city has experienced growing levels of homelessness and this, in turn, has led to a growing number of households in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation." The Waterside project has also included the refurbishment of the bridge connecting Soar Lane to Soar Island, according to the Local Democracy Reporting of 34 homes on Soar Island is expected to be completed by the end of the year according to Keepmoat, while 53 homes will be built in the Canal Frontage phase by the end of 2026.A "specialist care block" is also due to be developed by a third-party company with that work due to start later this year, Keepmoat said, and four commercial units are also said the project would be an £80m-plus investment into the regeneration of the added that the scheme would "help transform disused and neglected industrial buildings near Leicester's waterways".Soulsby said the area had "for a long time had immense potential for regeneration" and the project will "transform Waterside into a vibrant, attractive neighbourhood in which to live and work".
