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.