Leicester continues to buck the national narrative of high street closures as a new wave of restaurants, cafés, fashion stores and independent businesses open their doors across the city centre.
Vacancy rates have fallen from 18% in 2021 to 14% and are now holding steady, with the latest arrivals ranging from international fashion brand Hollister and menswear specialist Cavani to a growing crop of independent restaurants, coffee shops and food businesses, adding fresh reasons to shop, eat and spend time in the city.
Here are some of the exciting businesses who’ve chosen to open in Leicester:
Fashion retail
There’s a fantastic new store coming to Leicester’s High Street. Premium men’s suit specialists Cavani blend traditional English tailoring with Italian style and are opening in an 1,800 square feet unit on the Highcross side of the street.
Brand new inside the Highcross is Hollister who are bringing their ‘new format’ store; made up of a range of clothing, accessories and fragrances. Hollister have recently celebrated their 25th anniversary, with the Abercrombie & Fitch-owned retailer becoming a global staple for laid-back, Southern California-inspired style.
Over in the Haymarket C&S Collection is a great-value fashion store offering modest womenswear in a wide range of colours and styles. From lightweight everyday layers to longer dresses and outerwear, it specialises in comfortable, flattering pieces at affordable prices.
Restaurants
Now open on London Road is Golden Sands, a Goan and Portuguese influenced Indian restaurant with some fantastically delicious and unique dishes on offer. Mandi & Biryani House is open at the top of Granby Street doing exactly what it says on the tin, great rice based Indian flavours.
New on Cheapside is Ghara, a family-run spot expanding from their original site in London who have great Indian street food. Rounding out the curry quadruple is Bright Panipuri who have expanded from their super popular street food spot just off Melton Road. Just up the road from Grimsby Fisheries, this viral sensation offers all kinds of Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, Vada Pav and Indian snacks.
New at the Highcross on Shires Lane is Hasty Tasty Pizza serving pizza by the slice, hot baked pretzels and other street food. Flame & Ice have opened on Horsefair Street with Smash Burgers, Shakes and Desserts. There’s fresh grilled chicken from Cluck’d on Humberstone Gate. This is a healthier option than your usual fried chicken places. And finally Pizza Sofia have opened in the former Maurizio’s site on Belvoir Street with authentic Neapolitan pizza, £5 pizza wallets for lunch, pasta and Italian salads.
Cafés
Some great new cafes and dessert spots have come to Leicester recently. At the edge of St Martin’s Square on Silver Street, Paper Wings Café is the latest addition to Leicester’s enviable coffee scene. No frills, just great coffee.
Mowchi is a new addition to London Road, Mowchi, a popular franchise chain which is famous for its premium matcha, bubble tea and Asian-inspired fluffy bao buns and light bites. There’s more Matcha on King Street as Ma-Chaii has just opened with delicious deli sandwiches, matcha and lassis.
If you fancy something more refreshing then Mango Twist – Juice Bar brings South American flavours to Cank Street with smoothies, slushies and acai bowls. Frurt is Leicester’s first dedicated frozen yoghurt shop and you can find them near Leicester train station on London Road. And finally Waffle & Bagel is a great new café in St Martins Square with freshly made sweet treats and lunchtime snacks, plus great coffee and fresh juices plus loads of special events.
The best of the rest
Next to Cavani on High Street, eeMotion is a small family-run local business dedicated to E-Bike Retail with all the very best powered bikes, scooters and accessories and pioneering the future of urban mobility.
Blue Banana is one of the top piercing and alternative stores in the country and they’re opening a new unit in the Highcross! Spirit Crystal has been open in Highcross for a little while and they are a fantastic experience retail shop. Starting as a small online store, they have grown into a trusted destination for high-quality ethical crystals sourced from around the world. And last but not least, Tooth Club is a specialised Dental Clinic newly opened on Market Street offering cosmetic, general and restorative dentistry.
With new names continuing to arrive alongside Leicester’s established independent businesses, the latest openings are bringing fresh life to streets across the city centre and giving visitors even more reasons to come in and explore. From fashion and food to coffee, culture and experiences, Leicester’s high street continues to evolve, with plenty more still to come.
