Case study

Restoration of Leicester train station supported with over £17 million Levelling Up funding

Leicester train station is the gateway to the city. The culturally significant building was built in 1894 but is now in need of investment. Over £17 million from the Levelling Up Fund will return the station to its Victorian glory.

Mock-up of external development.

The vision is for the station to make “a major contribution to Leicester’s prosperity and supports the national levelling-up agenda”.

The Board behind this plan includes:

  • Leicester City Council
  • Network Rail
  • East Midlands Railway
  • Cross Country Trains
  • Midlands Connect

The funding is made up of three connected elements.

Entrance improvements

The entrance on Station Street will be made more attractive and accessible.

Improvements will include:

  • steps from the station leading towards the city centre
  • a new ramp.
Station Mock-up of internal, eating area.

Refurbished booking hall

Refurbishment of the station booking hall will:

  • transform it into a larger and lighter space
  • create more room for passengers.

Port Cochere to be home to a new retail outlet

This covered entrance hall on London Road will become a new plaza for shopping and food outlets. Taxis will move to a new location on Station Street.

Leicester Station development will potentially trigger growth

Levelling up Leicester Station will encourage further development to:

  • better connect Leicester with other parts of the UK
  • create new job opportunities.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said:

The award of almost £18 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund is a tremendous endorsement of the importance of this project. The railway station is a beautiful building but badly in need of improvement to meet the modern needs of a city the size of Leicester. This exciting project will make a huge difference, helping to transform the area into a vibrant gateway that will make a major contribution to Leicester’s prosperity.

Internal mock-up of Leicester station with seating and coffee shop.

Find out more about levelling up.

Updates to this page

Published 17 January 2023