Leicester Mercury

The Leicester Mercury is a regional newspaper serving Leicester and the surrounding areas of Leicestershire and Rutland in the UK. It started in the 19th century as the Leicester Daily Mercury before adopting its current name.

Local

English

Newspaper

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#17077

United Kingdom

#620

News and Media

#54

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

BBC Radio 2's Sara Cox replaced in presenter shake-up

1 day ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Anita Markoff

BBC Radio 2 has announced that Ellie Taylor, the comedian and actor, will be joining the station as a guest presenter. She'll be filling in for Sara Cox during the teatime slot next Monday and Tuesday (April 28 and 29).
Sarah Ferguson makes heartbreaking admission amid cancer diagnosis

1 day ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Sophia Papamavroudi

Sarah Ferguson has candidly opened up about her battles with cancer, making a poignant statement as she supports a campaign targeted at enhancing cancer care for teenagers. The Duchess of York, who battled early-stage breast cancer in 2023 and skin cancer in 2024, penned her personal experience stating that her diagnosis felt "like a death sentence," describing it as a "bomb going off in my life".
Fears shop’s late-night alcohol bid will increase 'stabbings and shootings' in Leicester neighbourhood

1 day ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Hannah Richardson

Residents fear stabbings and other violent crime in their Leicester neighbourhood will increase if a store’s bid to sell alcohol late into the night is approved. Evington Road has “become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour”, those who live there have said, with a “rise in serious crime” there in “recent years”. Crimes have included “stabbings and shootings”, which have caused “significant fear and distress among residents”, residents said.
CCTV clue after bank card and cash taken in Leicester burglary

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Dylan Hayward

A bank card, cash and other items were stolen during an alleged burglary in the Rowlatts Hill area of Leicester. Detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to about the incident. The reported burglary took place at a property in Higgs Close between 6am and 9am on Thursday, April 10. Leicestershire Police said the stolen bank card, which was taken from a purse, was allegedly later used at shops in Ethel Road, Evington Valley Road and St Saviours Road on the same morning.
Leicestershire villages clash in historic bottle kicking contest

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Dylan Hayward |Ellie Crabbe

Two Leicestershire villages have competed against each other in an annual sporting tradition known as "bottle kicking". The event between neighbouring Hallaton and Medbourne, near Market Harborough, takes place every Easter Monday with participants competing to bring wooden barrels of beer across a boundary stream into their respective villages. The "bottles" – old wooden barrels holding about a gallon of beer – are sealed with wax before the annual contest.
Women deny stalking Madeleine McCann's family

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Dylan Hayward

A woman has pleaded not guilty to stalking the parents and siblings of Madeleine McCann after previously claiming to be the missing girl. Julia Wandel, 23, from Lubin in south-west Poland, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today. Wandel is accused of making calls, leaving voicemails, sending messages to the McCanns and visiting their Leicestershire family home on two occasions last year.
Amazon responds after Leicestershire pensioner 'strangled' by safety belt bought online

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Dylan Hayward

Amazon has responded after a Leicestershire pensioner died when she became trapped by a safety belt purchased from the online retailer. Susan Lakin, 72, was found with an "armchair lap belt" around her neck after slipping down in her seat at her home in February last year. The device was bought by Mrs Lakin's family to prevent her falling from her chair due to mobility issues caused by her Parkinson's Disease.
Fire crews on cause of smoke seen over King Power Stadium

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Dylan Hayward

Firefighters have revealed the cause of large plumes of smoke seen near the King Power Stadium in Leicester last night. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said it was called to investigate reports of an "out-of-control fire". Fire crews were dispatched to the Faircharm Industrial Estate, in Evelyn Drive, Rowley Fields, at around 9.52pm last night (Monday, April 21). On arrival, firefighters discovered a skip containing commercial waste on fire.
A Place In The Sun star 'in talks to join Strictly Come Dancing' after health scare

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Holly Fleet

A fan favourite from A Place In The Sun, Craig Rowe, is reportedly in talks to showcase his dance moves on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. Following a major health scare that urged him towards a complete lifestyle change, the much-loved TV presenter is ready to show off his new level of fitness. Doctors had given Rowe a severe warning about the danger of developing Type 2 Diabetes if he didn't address his weight issue, reports the Express.
Live Leicestershire traffic updates as motorists face delays on A42 near East Midlands Airport

2 days ago | leicestermercury.co.uk | Dylan Hayward

Delays are building on the A42 near East Midlands Airport this morning due to a broken-down vehicle. National Highways said the incident is affecting the southbound carriageway between the M1 and Junction 14. One lane is closed and there are currently delays of around 30 minutes against expected traffic. Traffic monitoring service Inrix reported slow traffic between Junction 23A and Junction 13 for Ashby and Coalville.