Leicester has a population of 300,000 and is the largest city in the East Midlands and the tenth largest in the country. Leicester is a multi cultural city and is forecast to be Britain’s first ‘majority minority ethnic’ city by 2012. The city’s thriving ethnic minority community accounts for over a quarter of the population.
Leicester City centre is now one of the top UK shopping destinations, which has undergone a style revolution and is the largest shopping centre in the East Midlands. Highcross Leicester is a brand new inspirational shopping centre opened in September 2008. There is a wealth of top designer retailer including Hugo Boss, Cruise, All Saints, Hobbs, Reiss, Zara, Debenhams as well as the stunning four storey John Lewis store. Highcross also has an impressive leisure offering including a restaurant quarter reminiscent of London’s Covent Garden and dining experiences from around the world, cafes and a cinema de Lux.
Sport
Leicester has a wealth of national sports professionals.
Football
Leicester is well known for its sport teams. The Walkers Stadium is one of the best state of the-art stadiums in the country and a flagship development. Leicester City Football Club has had a number of famous international footballers and probably one of the best known is Gary Lineker who grew up in Leicester and led the team to a number of successes.
Rugby
Following the development of the new multi-million pound Caterpillar Stand in 2009, we now have the largest venue of its kind in the East Midlands with a superior Premiership Suite that has the capability of accommodating up to 1,000 people. Leicester Tigers are an English rugby union club who play in the Guinness Premiership. The club has been the most successful English club of the professional era, winning the Heinekin Cup twice and the league five times under the captaincy of Martin Johnson during the last seven years.
Entertainment
Leicester has a diverse range of multicultural entertainment including live music, city festivals with the Summer Sundae, a vibrant Caribbean Carnival, Diwali and the Leicester Comedy festival. The opening of Curve in 2008 has brought a wealth of shows and stars to the city and hosts a feast of music, dance and classic drama.
The Cinema de Lux is the only multiplex cinema in the city centre. A luxurious 12 screen cinema providing entertainment on a whole new level with a combination of digital technology, interactive media and a broad range of programming. The facilities also include the exclusive ‘Directors Halls’, premium auditoria as well as deluxe food and beverages.
