Discover the 'transformed' city of Leicester

A new guide for visitors to Leicester has been produced to showcase the city’s retail and cultural renaissance. A £3 billion regeneration programme is set to transform the city this year including the completion of the new £350 million Highcross Leicester retail and leisure development on 4 September, set to propel the city into the top ten of UK shopping destinations, and the iconic Curve theatre, described as ‘Europe’s most exciting cultural project’ with its opening show in December.

The free One Leicester guides will celebrate this transformation and will provide residents and visitors with comprehensive information and a practical map, highlighting places to shop, relax and enjoy themselves in the city. The map features Highcross, Curve and the existing retail offer including St Martin's, Leicester Market and Market Street. There are also clear and concise directions on travel and accessibility including details on how to get into the city, where to park, park and ride availability, walking times, and bus, train and cycling information.

One million copies of the guide are being produced and will be distributed throughout Leicester and Leicestershire through new and existing channels including local and regional Tourist Information Centres, attractions, hotels, information points, and door drops to 270,000 homes throughout the city, county and targeted areas within a 60 minute drive time of the city. To request a copy of the new city guide and discover for yourself how Leicester has transformed itself, visit Goleicestershire.com.

The guides have been produced by Leicester Shire Promotions with support from Leicester City Council, Hammerson, Leicester Theatre Trust, City Centre Cycling, Fenwick, NCP and Leicester Markets.

Cllr Ross Willmott, Leader, Leicester City Council said: “Leicester city centre has seen some radical changes over the last couple of years, with major investments by the council and others making a real difference. This new guide will help people to see just what improvements have been made.

"I welcome the publication and hope that people who have perhaps not visited the city for a little while will come into Leicester to find out how we have transformed the city."

Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions commented: “2008 is a landmark year in the history of Leicester with an unprecedented level of physical developments taking place. With the two most significant projects – Highcross Leicester and Curve - due for completion this year, we can truly offer a retail and cultural renaissance for visitors who may not have considered Leicester as a short break or day visit destination, or for those people who may have visited before but will be astonished to see how positively the city has changed when they return.”

The new visitor guide is the latest phase of an extensive marketing, advertising and PR campaign to promote the transformation of Leicester as part of the ‘One Leicester’ programme. One Leicester features the many activities and developments that are currently changing the face of the city – such as the opening of Curve and Highcross Leicester, the development of a new digital media centre and the completion of the main city centre pedestrianisation improvements.

The aim of the One Leicester initiative, a partnership between Leicester City Council, Leicester Shire Promotions and other city-based public and private sector organisations, is to provide a showcase for the many opportunities for businesses, investors and visitors, as well as encouraging local pride in the city. For more on the One Leicester initiative, visit Oneleicester.com.