Hannah Richardson

Oct 8, 2024 | leicestermercury.co.uk | Hannah Richardson

Leicester hospitals have declared a critical incident this morning (Wednesday, October 9). The declaration means people should only attend A&E for conditions that are life-threatening and cannot be treated by other means, such as by calling 111, and that some patients will experience longer-than-expected delays in receiving attention. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) said its hospitals were seeing “a higher than usual number of patients needing care”.

Oct 8, 2024 | leicestermercury.co.uk | Hannah Richardson

Campaigners for a new Leicester rail link claim it could cut travel times by 40 minutes and provide thousands of jobs during construction. Midlands Connect has long called for direct trains between Leicester, Coventry and Nottingham. The group, which researches, develops and champions long-term transport projects locally, has now said the estimated seven-year construction phase could create around 3,000 jobs and 70 apprenticeships.

Oct 7, 2024 | leicestermercury.co.uk | Hannah Richardson

A former Leicester city centre bank could be brought back into use as a shop and flats. The building, in Market Street, was previously occupied by the Royal Bank of Scotland, but has stood empty since the branch closed in June 2022. Now, documents have revealed that developer Morningside Holdings Ltd is eyeing up the building with a view to bringing the ground floor and basement back into use as a single shop, and creating eight flats in the first, second and third floors.

Oct 7, 2024 | leicestermercury.co.uk | Hannah Richardson

Leicester City Council is set to borrow millions of pounds to purchase new council homes. The local authority declared a housing crisis in November 2022 as it just did not have enough council housing to meet the growing demand in the city. Latest housing figures showed thousands of Leicester residents were also stuck in unsuitable homes as of the end of March 2024 with many expected to wait five or six years to move.

Oct 6, 2024 | leicestermercury.co.uk | Hannah Richardson

Plans to bring a former Jobcentre back to life as student flats have been unveiled. The four-storey building in Leicester’s New Walk is currently sitting empty. However, developers have submitted proposals to Leicester City Council’s planning committee to transform it into 60 apartments for the city’s students. Each of the flats would be studios, with kitchens, study areas, bed spaces, en-suites and living areas provided in them.