Leicester's reputation as one of the best cities in which to live and work in the country has been confirmed by latest research.
The 2016 Good Growth for Cities Index ranks Leicester in the top 10 English cities, ahead of London, Brighton and Plymouth as well as Midlands neighbours Nottingham, Birmingham and Derby.
Loseby Lane in the sunshine!
The home of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is known for its history, culture and diversity, with the discovery of Richard III's grave and Leicester City Football Club's 5,000-1 Premier League victory keeping it in the spotlight.
These 'top 10' credentials come as no surprise to Sarah Harrison, Leicester's city centre director.
She said: "The growth we have seen in Leicester city centre over the past year has been beyond all expectations.
"As well as the opening of a number of new bars, restaurants and coffee shops, we have also seen a huge rise in the number of residential developments, which is really adding to the vibrant feel of the place.
"The building of the new market square is almost complete, and this will provide a great new public space for events.
Middleton’s restaurant, a Grade II-listed former bank building
"We have also seen continued investment from the private sector, such as the transformation of the pub next to market square into a boutique hotel.
"Our festivals programme is also growing and this year - thanks to a partnership between DMU and Cosmopolitan Arts - the city centre hosted colourful Chinese New Year celebrations.
"We have also seen the relocation of more businesses to the city, the latest being the Performing Rights Society and Phonographic Performance Limited. Along with IBM and Hastings Direct, they were attracted by the quality of our graduates.
"It's fair to say that Leicester has never been a more exciting place to be."
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Rich in arts, culture, sports and heritage, the city is:
- Leading the field in sports, home to Leicester City Football Club, the 2015-16 Premier League champions, and Leicester Tigers, the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby union. Both clubs have partnerships with DMU, leading to great opportunities for students
- Home to Britain's most multi-cultural high street, with shopkeepers from 23 countries to be found on Narborough Road, just a stone's throw from the DMU campus
- One of England's oldest cities, with a history dating back 2,000 years
- Home to the King Richard III Visitor Centre - one of the hottest new attractions in the world according to the Lonely Planet travel guide
- A great place for laughs! Leicester Comedy Festival - founded by DMU alumnus Geoff Rowe - brings around 30,000 people into Leicester and has an economic impact worth about £3 million
- Where you can join in one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India and enjoy the Caribbean carnival, one of the largest multicultural events in the East Midlands
- Noted for its global cuisine and a regular contender for the Curry Capital of Britain title
- The home of Brit Award winners Kasabian and X Factor star Sam Bailey
- One of the top 10 most affordable UK cities for students, according to credit card company Marbles.com
Fanzone in Jubilee Square for Sevilla fans
Leicester secured ninth spot in the country and 11th in the UK in the annual report from business consultants PwC and think-tank Demos. Their research was based on 10 categories - defined by the public and business - measuring economic performance and quality of life, with business start-ups a new category for 2016.
It's not just Leicester that is prospering, the East Midlands has the fastest growing-economy in the UK outside of London and the South East, according to PwC's latest UK Economic Outlook. This helps make Leicester:
- A great place for job creation, with IBM offering 300 jobs alone following its move to the city
- Home to thriving creative industries, with more than 200 businesses currently trading in Leicester's Cultural Quarter
Posted on Wednesday 5 April 2017