Leicester Headlines on One News Page [United Kingdom]

This is Leicestershire --

A grandmother has criticised the standard of cleaning on a children's hospital ward after seeing a cockroach run across a corridor.

Nicola Clark, of Syston, said she was "disgusted" at the lack of thorough cleaning during the four days her grandson, Riley Lightbown, was a patient at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Ms Clark was visiting Riley, 19 months – who was admitted to the infirmary after breaking his leg on December 23 – when she spotted the insect.

The 40-year-old said: "I was walking along to see Riley on the Wednesday evening after Christmas, when I saw something start to scuttle across the corridor from the nurses' rest room towards the room where they prepare medication.

"At first I thought it was a spider but then I realised it was a cockroach.

"I told a staff member on the ward, whose reaction was 'are you sure?'.

"She wrapped it in a piece of tissue and flushed it down the toilet.

"She mentioned that carpets were being refitted in a treatment room and it had probably come from there."

Ms Clark said neither she, nor her daughter, Yasmin McCorkindale, who stayed with Riley, saw the ward mopped or cleaned during his stay.

She said: "It was only after I complained they seemed to get a cleaner.

"I know it was Christmas, but when I worked as a cleaner at the infirmary the wards were a lot cleaner.

"The playroom and the toys didn't seem to have been cleaned for days and you couldn't see yourself in the mirror on the wall because it was so smeared.

"I was disgusted at the standards of cleanliness."

Nigel Bond, head of facilities at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: "As unpleasant as a sighting like this must be, it seems to be an isolated incident.

"It is incredibly rare for a ward to have an issue with pests and thorough cleanliness inspections are carried out frequently.

"However, we do take this seriously and we have checked the area again to make sure there is absolutely no cause for concern."

Mr Bond said the play room and toys on the children's ward were cleaned daily.

He said mirrors were cleaned with a substance which could leave smears when it dried.

Figures supplied by the trust showed pest controllers had to be called to the city's three hospitals nearly 200 times last year.

There were only two incidents at the infirmary, one involving the possible sighting of a mouse and one of "biting insects" in the emergency decisions unit, next to accident and emergency. Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire --

An experiment to reduce the number of lanes on a section of inner ring road faced its first rush-hour test yesterday.

As part of his Connecting Leicester project, city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has proposed extending "the New Walk experience" along Newarke Street by creating a wide promenade for pedestrians.

The plan would include the closure of one of the three lanes of traffic in Newarke Street. A trial run began on Sunday.

With the left-hand lane shut to drivers yesterday morning, traffic was slower during rush-hour, with some drivers estimating journeys took up to 10 minutes longer.

One said: "It slowed things down and added five to 10 minutes on to my journey.

"Traffic from the north was backed up back to St Nicholas Circle at 8.30am."

Martin Tolley, who owns the Spar shop near the west end of Newarke Street, said trade had suffered.

He said: "It's a disaster. It was gridlocked for a lot of the morning and two of my delivery drivers didn't get through so customers were complaining there were no sandwiches or fresh bread.

"Closing a lane of Newarke Street is a crazy idea."

Claire Newman, buildings and conference manager at Voluntary Action Leicestershire, in Newarke Street, said: "The traffic was flowing very slowly and that's before everyone's returned to work after Christmas. There are two perfectly adequate pavements in Newarke Street already, so I think the idea is ridiculous."

Jamie Noon, who works at nearby Grosvenor House, said: "When I came in from the Aylestone direction, the queues for Newarke Street started at Leicester Royal Infirmary and the traffic didn't die down until quite a bit later."

Six lanes of traffic – two from the south and four from the north – feed into Newarke Street, which is one-way from the Magazine to the council's New Walk Centre.

A city council spokesman said: "It was the first day of the lane closure, which is when we tend to see problems. But we've been monitoring it and are satisfied no serious delays occurred yesterday morning." Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire --

Defender Ritchie De Laet is enjoying being Leicester City's latest goalscoring sensation.

While recent signing Chris Wood has marked his arrival at the club with three goals in his first two appearances, right-back De Laet has popped up with two goals in consecutive games.

"It has been a surprise," said De Laet. "If I keep getting into those positions, the ball will come and I have been lucky enough to score two now.

"If I keep working hard and get into those positions, then I might score a third this weekend at Bristol.

"I think my best total has been two, but that included a pre-season game. I have two now and we still have plenty of games to go now so I hope I get three.

"It is part of my game as a full-back, I like to get forward. I like to bomb on and that gets me into those positions. If the ball comes right for me, I have a chance to score.

"I know I am a defender first and foremost and I try to do my defensive job first, but if the chance is there to get forward I will take it.

"We have controlled the last two games with our possession and that gives us the chance to get me and Paul Konchesky going forward.

"That is what the gaffer asks us to do as well, to support the midfield and the attack. That is what we have been doing."

De Laet scored the second in City's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Burton Albion on Saturday and admitted the players had extra motivation to get the victory because of their Capital One Cup exit at the hands of the Brewers in August.

"For me, it was about putting the record straight," said De Laet. "That League Cup game was a hard game and we didn't concentrate as we are doing now. That is what happens with these teams – if you give them something to hold on to they will.

"It was a professional display, we won 2-0 and we enjoyed most of the possession as well."

Leicester City's Championship trip to face Cardiff City has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, February 12.

City were due to face the Bluebirds on Saturday, January 26, but will now travel to face Huddersfield Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup on that date.

City have already beaten the Terriers twice this season, including dishing out a 6-1 hammering on home soil on New Year's Day. Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire --

Campaigners have reacted furiously to an announcement that plans for two permanent travellers' sites have been given the go-ahead by the city council.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby yesterday confirmed plans for one site of up to 10 pitches at Red Hill Way, Mowmacre Hill, and another of up to six pitches at Greengate Lane, Beaumont Leys.

Work on the project, which will cost more than £1.5 million, could start before the end of the year, subject to planning permission being granted.

Protestors – who were among thousands of people to oppose the plans – have vowed to keep fighting the decision, describing the move as "very sad for democracy".

Sir Peter said it was "a very hard decision which was never going to be popular".

The total number of pitches at the sites has been reduced from 30 to 16. However, the council needs to find space for 40 pitches in total.

One site which had previously been considered, at Beaumont Way, in Beaumont Leys, was ruled out as unsuitable.

However, Sir Peter said two additional sites – at Hoods Close, Mowmacre Hill, and Ratby Lane, Braunstone Frith – were now being considered.

"This is a start," he said. "We need to find 40 pitches, so this is not a solution.

"We've looked long and hard at the issues people have raised. We've agreed to limit the size of the Greengate Lane site to minimise the impact on nearby residents.

"We're also not planning to allow these sites to expand beyond the planned number of pitches.

"Over the next three months, I want further discussions with the county and district councils to ensure they are playing their part, as well as looking again at the potential offered by privately-owned sites across the city which might be capable of providing small developments.

"I also want members of the travelling community to be involved in discussions about how they could help develop and manage sites."

The Red Hill Way, Greengate Lane and Beaumont Way sites were put forward as part of an extensive consultation early last year.

Yesterday, Sir Peter ruled out the Beaumont Way site, saying it was too exposed and road access was inadequate.

Planning applications are expected to be submitted for the Greengate Lane and Red Hill Way sites by the spring.

The public consultation on the plans ran from February to July last year. More than 1,500 people gave their views online, by letter or by e-mail, in addition to the hundreds of people who attended public meetings on the proposals.

Thousands also signed petitions opposing the plans.

Campaigner Roy Rollings, chairman of the LE4 Action Group, claimed residents had been ignored.

"This is a very sad day for democracy," he said.

"The reasonable objections of thousands of people have been ignored. We shall be opposing the sites when the applications are brought forward.

"There are very serious traffic risks affecting both sites. They are also on greenfield sites and we believe brownfield sites in Leicester should be developed first."

Birstall parish councillor Stuart Jones, who lives near the Greengate Lane site, said: "Birstall Parish Council is very disappointed with this decision. It believes that the original objections on the Greengate Lane site are still valid."

MP Stephen Dorrell, who represents the Birstall area, said he was "very disappointed at Sir Peter's cynical decision".

He said: "This decision rides roughshod over the opinions of the vast majority of people who will be directly affected by these proposals. They are my constituents, rather than voters in Leicester."

The city council initially considered 350 potential sites, which were assessed and narrowed down to three.

City council officers are now working on designs for the two sites that have been chosen.

A council spokesman said: "Our work so far has indicated the cost of a pitch can range between about £60,000 and £100,000, depending on the extent of work involved, the facilities needed and the numbers being provided on site."

A spokesman for County Hall said: "The provision of travellers' sites is the responsibility of district councils, but we'd be prepared to talk to the city mayor on the subject should he wish to approach us." Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire --

There are just four days left to enter the Leicester Mercury Business Awards 2013, a showcase of the cream of Leicestershire's thriving enterprise culture.

The event, open to companies of all sizes and sectors, aims to highlight the number and range of successful businesses in the county.

We feel the passion, determination, tireless energy and skill which goes into running a top-performing business needs to be recognised.

Not only does winning a business award mean recognition for the management team, it is a major morale boost for employees at all levels.

Leicestershire is the perfect place to run a business, according to two of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs.

Building tycoon David Wilson and Dunelm founder Bill Adderley – who between them are worth more than £1 billion – have turned small, fledgling firms into nationally-recognised companies from bases in the county.

These captains of industry may be exceptional, but Leicestershire is full of fantastic, cutting-edge and fast-growing enterprises which aim to reach the same heights.

It is these companies – whether small, medium or large – that the Leicester Mercury Business Awards 2013 wants to celebrate.

Business leaders say scooping a prize at a major event can even be a more effective shot in the arm for the workforce than paying out bonuses.

Organisers of similar-sized awards events have estimated that awards finalists have benefited from a total promotional package worth £100,000. Some winners have even claimed scooping such an award could be worth up to £1 million to a company during its lifetime.

Fourteen sponsors are supporting 12 different categories at the awards, which take place on March 21. All their names appear elsewhere on this page.

See the panel on the right side of this page for category details and how to enter.

Headline sponsors are De Montfort University, Freeth Cartwright and RSM Tenon.

The event is being held in association with Champions (UK).

The Leicester Mercury Business Awards have replaced the annual Leicestershire Business Awards after an agreement between the organisers and the Leicester Mercury.

David Simms, Leicester Mercury publisher, said: "We are honoured and delighted to be running, in conjunction with Champions (UK) plc, such a prestigious event, which recognises the fantastic and world leading businesses in the city and county."

Martin Traynor, chief executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is important to recognise success in business, particularly in Leicester and Leicestershire, which has such a strong entrepreneurial culture."

To nominate entries, see the column on the right.

To book seats/tables, then please call Nikki Kandola at the Leicester Mercury on 0116 222 4310 or e-mail:

nikkikandola@ leicestemercury.co.uk Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire --

Network Rail announced today that the Midland Mainline through Leicester will be operating high speed electric trains by the end of 2019.
A report by the company said the extension of electrification from Bedford to Nottingham will see two trains an hour to St Pancras within seven years.
Electrification via Derby to Sheffield will be completed by December 2021.
Outlining the £500million programme, Martin Frobisher, Network Rail route managing director, said: "Today we have a diesel railway with ageing infrastructure.
"In just seven years time we will be operating one of the most modern electric railways in Europe.
"The signalling will be controlled from our state of the art control centre in Derby.
"The overhead line will be constructed using the latest technology for reliability and efficiency.
"We will use efficient, high output techniques to renew and upgrade the track."
He said the plans set out investments for the future, particularly focussing on new technology and electrification and creating more capacity.
A key aim will cut travel times between Leicester to London to under an hour.
Station improvements will see the straightening of the track at Market Harborough.
Mr Frobisher added: "Electrification plans will cut the cost of running the railway by up to £60m every year and slash carbon emissions by 13,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to the annual emissions of 15,000 cars." Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire -- THOUSANDS of people will visit Leicester University tonight as it hosts the BBC's Stargazing Live show.

All tickets have now gone for the free gathering which will take place from 5.30pm to 9pm.

Organised by BBC Learning and the University of Leicester it is one of a number of events being held up and down the country bringing together

astronomical societies, museums and discovery centres, country parks and local authorities.
Around 113,000 people took part in Stargazing LIVE events around the UK last year.

Professor Mark Lester, head of the department of physics and astronomy at Leicester University, said: "We are incredibly excited to be working with BBC

Learning to put on a fantastic event for all the family in celebration of Stargazing Live 2013".
The TV series, which returns to BBC TWO on January 8, 9 and 10 , will be hosted by professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain with over three days of live

stargazing featuring epic images from observatories around the globe.
Professor Cox said: "During the last series amateur stargazers were hunting for planets and this year we will be hunting for asteroids and strange 'spider'

like features on mars. Everyone can get involved and you never know what we will find – there are so many possibilities out there. "
To accompany the TV series and the events, BBC Learning is producing a number of free resources including a Star Guide and a special Star Party pack

so that people can get involved by planning their own star party at home.
They are available to download at bbc.co.uk/stargazing Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire --

Neil Danns has joined Huddersfield Town on loan for the rest of the season.

The midfielder returned to Leicester City last week after his two-month loan spell at Bristol City finished.
Bristol boss Derek McInnes was hopeful of getting him back for a further loan.

But the Terriers, who also have City striker Jermaine Beckford on loan for the rest of the campaign, have swooped for the 30-year-old, who has previously captained City but fallen out of favour under City boss Nigel Pearson.

Neither Danns or Beckford will be eligible for the FA Cup fourth round clash between Leicester City and Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday, January 26. Reported by This is 2 days ago.

• Wales second-row out of Sunday's Heineken Cup tie
• Ashley Beck also likely to miss the match

Ospreys will be without their Wales second-row Ian Evans for Sunday's Heineken Cup match against Leicester at the Liberty Stadium, a game the Welsh region need to win to have any chance of making the quarter-finals, and the international centre Ashley Beck is also unlikely to play.

Justin Tipuric, the Wales openside flanker, is rated as 50-50 to be involved as he recovers from a shoulder injury but the Lions prop Adam Jones will start as Ospreys look to counter the most powerful scrum in the Premiership.

Leicester's top try-scorer this season is penalty tries, which number eight – including two in their last match, at Worcester – compared with the five scored by Manu Tuilagi and Adam Thompstone.

"We will not rush anyone back before they are ready," said the head coach, Steve Tandy. "Ian will be reviewed next week and I am waiting for more information on Ashley, but it looks doubtful if he will be ready.

"There is going to be a real edge on Sunday and the scrum is going to be a big area of the game. We felt a few decisions did not go our way there in the first match at Welford Road and that is something we want to put right.

"Leicester have probably not come up against a scrum like ours in the Premiership and I can imagine there will be a few penalties and free-kicks as usual. We are confident in our scrum and in our game."

Ospreys, the RaboDirect Pro 12 champions, have won 10 of their past 11 league matches and defeated Toulouse in their last Heineken Cup outing a month ago. More than 11,000 tickets had been sold by Tuesday morning, with Tandy hoping for strong vocal backing for his players.

"It is a huge game for our area and we need the supporters to get right behind us," he said. "You could feel the energy when the players walked in for training this morning and we want to be winners. We will be without a number of injured players but we are not moaning.

"It gives an opportunity to others and it is surprising what a team that is not reliant on individuals can achieve. We are in a good place at the moment: everyone understands what we are tying to achieve. There is a debate about the future of the regional game, but that is for others; my job is to prepare a team to take the field.

"We want to be the best we can. We have grown as a team and as a business. The victory over Toulouse gave us confidence and we have built on it. We have to be clinical against Leicester and we know that if we do not win, our European season will be over." Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire -- Leicester Tigers fly-half Toby Flood has been cleared by a Rugby Union disciplinary hearing and is free to play against the Ospreys on Sunday.
he 27-year-old faced a charge of a dangerous 'tip-tackle' on Worcester's Andy Goode during last Friday's Aviva Premiership match at Sixways.
If found guilty, he would have almost certainly missed the crucial Heineken Cup games against the Ospreys and Toulouse.
But, following a lengthy hearing that lasted over two hours in central London last night, Flood was cleared of the charge and is almost certain to start at the Liberty Stadium.
It is a huge boost for Leicester going into the game. The England fly-half has been in good form all season and has plenty of experience of big games with 53 Test caps to his name.
Had Flood been suspended, 19-year-old George Ford was likely to have been thrown in to partner scrum-half Ben Youngs in the key half-back positions. Tigers director of rugby
Richard Cockerill said he was very pleased by the decision. "I am obviously delighted with the result of the hearing," he said.
It was a very fair hearing which went into a great deal of detail and led to a very lengthy process.
"That was because the involvement of the other players within the tackle was clearly a huge debating point and was key to the outcome. We feel it was the right decision too. "Now we can concentrate on the game on Sunday. It is great to have everyone available."
The three-man panel comprised of chairman Jeremy Summers, Dr Julian Morris and Philip Evans and the hearing took place in central London late last night. Summers later explained the reasons behind their decision.
"While we found that the elements of a dangerous tackle were made out, after very careful analysis we could not be satisfied, to that standard required, that the dynamics of the incident had not been caused, or contributed to, significantly by the involvement of other players from both teams." Reported by This is 2 days ago.

This is Leicestershire -- Two people were rescued from their home after a fire broke out in their kitchen.
The blaze at the house in Sidney Road, Knighton, Leicester, started at around 2.30am this morning.
A spokesman for the fire service said: "We kept the caller on the line, reassuring them and giving them fire survival advice until the arrival of the crews."
Two crews from central and one from Wigston station rescued the two people who were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary by ambulance.
It is believed the cause of the fire was a bag of tea towels which ignited. Reported by This is 1 day ago.

This is Leicestershire -- A man accused of setting fire to a rooftop shisha cafe has been bailed to appear for trial at Leicester Crown Court.

Imtiyas Patel (28), of Herschell Street, off London Road, Leicester, attended the city magistrates' court today charged with arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The blaze took place at the Cloud Nine Shisha Cafe, in Leicester, on October 25 last year.

Around 60 firefighters attended the blaze which destroyed the bar and smoking area on the roof of the Curzonia knitwear factory in Birstall Street, St Matthews, and part of the factory building's fourth floor.

Patel, who gave no plea, was granted bail on condition that he does not contact any prosecution witnesses.

He will attend court again later this month. Reported by This is 1 day ago.

This is Leicestershire -- Camera chain Jessops is on the verge of going into administration.
The Leicester-based group employs around 1,800 people at 180 stores.
The company, founded in 1935, employs 150 staff at its head office site in Braunstone Frith and at stores in Gallowtree Gate, Leicester and Loughborough.
Reports say the struggling retailer could go into administration as early as the end of today, and is poised to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers as the administrator.
Jessops has had a rocky few years after increased competition from supermarkets and online retailers. It managed to avoid administration in 2009 by securing a deal on its huge debts with HSBC.
Its chief executive Trevor Moore left last July to become the boss of music and DVD retailer HMV. Martyn Everett then stepped up from non-executive chairman to executive chairman.
The company was started in 1935 by Frank Jessop, who opened his first photography store in Leicester. Reported by This is 1 day ago.

This is Leicestershire -- Tom Croft is one of eight Leicester Tigers players to be named in the England squad ahead of the Six Nations.

The 27-year-old only made his return from a career-threatening neck injury last Friday in Tigers' victory against Worcester, following nine months on the sidelines.

But Stuart Lancaster has named him in his 33-man squad for the Six Nations campaign, which starts on February 2 against Scotland – although he is unlikely to figure in the series.

Croft is joined by hooker Tom Youngs, who has been formally promoted to the squad after impressing in England's autumn internationals.

There are three other forwards included in the squad in the form of prop Dan Cole, lock Geoff Parling and No.8 Thomas Waldrom.

Scrum-half Ben Youngs, fly-half Toby Flood and centre Manu Tuilagi are all included among Lancaster's squad.

Lancaster has also named a further five Tigers for the England Saxons squad.

Nineteen-year-old fly-half George Ford has been selected alongside Anthony Allen, while Louis Deacon, Graham Kitchener and Ed Slater are included among the forwards.

*England senior elite player squad*: Forwards – C Clark (Northampton), A Corbisiero (London Irish), D Cole (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), T Johnson (Exeter), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), B Morgan (Gloucester), G Parling (Leicester), C Robshaw (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), T Waldrom (Leicester), D Wilson (Bath), T Wood (Northampton), T Youngs (Leicester). Backs – C Ashton (Saracens), B Barritt (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins), F Burns (Gloucester), D Care (Harlequins), L Dickson (Northampton), O Farrell (Saracens), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton), A Goode (Saracens), J Joseph (London Irish), D Strettle (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester), B Youngs (Leicester).

*England Saxons squad*: Forwards – M Botha (Saracens), N Catt (Bath), L Deacon (Leicester), P Doran Jones (Northampton), P Dowson (Northampton), W Fraser (Saracens), J Gray (Harlequins), G Kitchener (Leicester), S Knight (Gloucester), M Kvesic (Worcester), M Mullan (Worcester), D Paice (London Irish), T Palmer (Wasps), G Robson (Harlequins), E Slater (Leicester), H Thomas (Sale), B Vunipola (Wasps). Backs – N Abendanon (Bath), A Allen (Leicester), T Biggs (Bath), E Daly (Wasps), K Eastmond (Bath), G Ford (Leicester), G Lowe (Harlequins), J May (Gloucester), U Monye (Harlequins), J Simpson (Wasps), C Sharples (Gloucester), J Tomkins (Saracens), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins), C Wade (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Saracens). Reported by This is 1 day ago.

This is Leicestershire -- Troubled camera chain Jessops plunged into administration today after failing to secure a financial lifeline. The Leicester-based group employs around 2,000 people and has 192 stores. The company, founded in 1935, employs 150 staff at its head office site in Braunstone Frith and at stores in Gallowtree Gate, Leicester and Loughborough. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) were appointed as administrators this afternoon. Rob Hunt, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said: "Over the last few days the directors, funders and key suppliers have been in discussions as regards additional consensual financial support for the business. However, these discussions have not been successful. In light of these irreconcilable differences the directors decided to appoint administrators and we were appointed earlier today. "Our most pressing task is to review the Company's financial position and hold discussions with its principal stakeholders to see if the business can be preserved. Trading in the stores is hoped to continue today but is critically dependent on these ongoing discussions. However, in the current economic climate it is inevitable that there will be store closures." PwC have not yet made any announcements about store closures or redundancies. Mr Hunt said Jessops was not now in a position to honour customer vouchers or to accept returned goods. Jessops' turnover in the year to December 31, 2012 was £236 million. Jessops has had a rocky few years after increased competition from supermarkets and online retailers. Earlier this week the retailer announced it was closing 15 stores, but would not say where they were. It managed to avoid administration in 2009 by securing a deal on its huge debts with HSBC. Former chief executive Trevor Moore left last July to become the boss of music and DVD retailer HMV. Martyn Everett then stepped up from non-executive chairman to executive chairman. The company was started in 1935 by Frank Jessop, who opened his first photography store in Leicester. Reported by This is 22 hours ago.

This is Leicestershire --

About 2,000 jobs are in jeopardy after camera chain Jessops plunged into administration yesterday.

The business, founded in Leicester in 1935, could disappear from the high street after becoming the latest casualty of tough trading.

Declining sales over the past few months had left the company with major financial problems.

Efforts by bosses to secure a funding lifeline over recent days have failed.

Administrators said some of the firm's 192 stores would almost certainly close.

The company had already announced on Monday it was shutting 15 shops.

No details about store closures or redundancies were given last night.

Administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers did not say whether it would look to sell the business as a going concern. It said Jessops would no longer honour customer vouchers or accept returned goods.

The group employs about 150 people at its headquarters in Scudamore Road, Braunstone Frith, Leicester, and at stores in Gallowtree Gate, in the city centre, and Cattle Market, Loughborough.

Experts said Jessops was unable to compete with low-cost online operators and supermarkets.

It comes less than six months after fellow Leicester photography chain Cecil Jacobs disappeared from the high street, after 73 years.

Jessops escaped administration in 2009 after agreeing a deal with HSBC over its heavy debts.

Martin Traynor, chief executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Obviously, this is sad news for the people who work for Jessops. But unfortunately, it isn't unexpected."

Professor Jim Saker, retail lecturer at Loughborough University, said: "This is basically a result of them losing the cheaper end of their market to the internet and supermarkets and the business being too big to survive as a specialist camera outlet.

"It is possible they could eventually continue with a much smaller presence on the high street."

The business was founded in 1935 when Frank Jessop opened a camera store in Newarke Street, in the city.

In the 1970s, it opened a 20,000sq ft outlet in Hinckley Road, Leicester, which the firm claimed was the largest photography store in the world.

The group grew to more than 300 stores after floating on the London Stock Exchange in 2004 and was valued at £160 million.

However, demand for specialist knowledge about digital photography quickly waned and the company was forced to close more than a third of its stores.

It had a turnover of £236 million in the year to December 31 and is reported to have had debts of about £28 million.

Customer and professional photographer Glen Tillyard, of Smeeton Westerby, said: "It's a very sad day, particularly as it comes so close after the demise of Cecil Jacobs."

Fellow customer Andrew Selby, of Loughborough, who visited the town's store yesterday morning, said: "The staff were taking all the stock off the shelves.

"It was very sad to see." Reported by This is 5 hours ago.

This is Leicestershire --

A man who was put on trial after staging an anti-religion protest by ripping out pages from the Koran in front of Muslims has had the case against him dropped.

A jury at Leicester Crown Court failed to reach a verdict in the case against Peter James Crawford last month.

The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the evidence and a decision was made not to continue with a fresh trial.

The case was dropped against Mr Crawford, 52, when the prosecution offered no evidence against him at a hearing – a move described by Mr Crawford's advocate as "sensible".

During the trial in December, Mr Crawford was alleged to have torn pages from his own copy of the Koran and thrown the holy book on the ground next to a stall run by the Islamic Information Centre, near the Clock Tower, in Leicester, on May 12 last year.

He told Muslim volunteers at the stall that he disagreed with their religion.

Mr Crawford, of Mere Road, Spinney Hills, Leicester, claimed in interview he was expressing his disagreement with religion of any kind, saying it was all "b******t".

He told police he would have done the same with a Bible as he did not understand either holy book and "hated" all religion.

"I'm not against the people, just their religion," he said.

James Bide-Thomas, prosecuting, said in his opening address to the jury last month that freedom of speech was "tradition in this country" and "people are entitled to say what they want, as long as it's not illegal in relation to the law which prevents people going out to cause harassment, alarm or distress by insulting behaviour".

He said: "It's for you to decide whether what he did was insulting or whether it was a legitimate piece of freedom of speech being exercised, or whether what he did was deliberately calculated to upset the people from the Islamic Information Centre."

The jury told the judge there was no prospect of them reaching either a unanimous verdict or one on which at least 10 of them agreed.

Mr Crawford had denied causing religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, by demonstrating hostility based on membership of a particular religious group.

Speaking this week, Mr Crawford's defence advocate during the trial, Steven Newcombe, said: "I think the prosecution made a sensible decision not to have a retrial in the light of the jury being deadlocked.

"There were other ways of dealing with this matter, rather than attempting to prosecute Mr Crawford in a crown court.

"He has learned a lesson and I'm sure he will conduct himself with a greater degree of sensitivity."

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "When jury cannot decide on a verdict, the prosecution must decide whether to seek a retrial on the basis of the same evidence.

"A number of factors must be taken into account, including the likely penalty if the defendant is found guilty, the time delay in securing a date for the retrial, the views of the victim, judiciary and police and the likelihood of another jury reaching a decision."

Mr Crawford was not available for comment. Reported by This is 12 hours ago.

This is Leicestershire --

There is a hunger for success that runs throughout the Leicester City squad, midfielder Matty James has said.

James said he came to City in the summer because he is driven to make it as a professional in the top flight and he said Nigel Pearson had recruited like-minded players, such as latest recruit Chris Wood.

The youthfulness of the squad was a factor in the shared ambition, James said, but he added that seasoned professionals, such as Paul Konchesky and David Nugent, who have experienced Premier League football before, were determined to return.

"Wood is a great signing," he said. "He gives us a different outlet.

"He has a presence about him and I am certain he will cause a lot of problems for defenders in this league.

"He is young and there are quite a few lads here who are hungry. We want to succeed and get to the Premier League.

"It is a good place to be and there is a great spirit around the camp. There is competition all over the field now. You need that in a side that is, hopefully, going to get promoted.

"It keeps everyone on their toes and keeps everyone ready, if something does happen in terms of loss of form or injuries.

"I think that team spirit does come from the fact that a lot of us are of the same age. I know how hungry I am and that rubs off on other players.

"The others are all determined to get into the Premier League.

"The older lads, like Konch, want to get back there as well. When players see Leicester now, it attracts them because of the ambition we have."

James said City must hang in around the top-four places in the hope of mounting a push for automatic promotion.

"We have got ourselves into the play-off places, so we have done all right so far," he said.

"We have been a touch inconsistent but, in the main, we have been solid and done okay.

"Now is the time to either kick on to challenge for the top two, or cement a place in the top six.

"We want to stay in the top three or four and then, hopefully, something will happen." Reported by This is 12 hours ago.

This is Leicestershire --

They are all comedy giants, but are they comedy legends? It's time for you to decide.

To celebrate the 20th Leicester Comedy Festival, the Mercury has teamed up with festival bosses to create a new award – The Legend of Comedy.

We have picked 20 comedians who have performed at the festival over the years, who we think are pretty great.

Whether you love Harry Hill's physical comedy or Jack Dee's dry wit, we want you to pick the comedian you think is most deserving of the first Legend of Comedy award.

The comedian with the most online or postal votes will be crowned the winner of the inaugural award.

Festival founder Geoff Rowe said: "This is an opportunity for us to recognise those comedians who have entered the hearts of the people of Leicester, through the comedy festival.

"It might not necessarily be the funniest comedian, or the most popular person, but the person who creates comedy that people just love.

"For me, a comedy legend is someone who never fails to relate to the general public and their audience, and who goes that extra mile and has that extra characteristic that makes people really love them."

The award will be presented to the winning comedian – or if it is Sir Norman Wisdom, his family – at a special ceremony in March at the City Rooms, in Hotel Street, Leicester.

A plaque naming the winner will also be displayed in comedy festival venue, the Y Theatre, in East Street, Leicester. To vote for your favourite comedian, fill in the poll below.

This year, Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival will see more than 520 shows performed at dozens of venues across the city and county, over 17 days, from February 8 until February 24.

The preview show – a taste of what to expect during the festival – will be held at De Montfort Hall tonight.

Comedy Legend ext

Reported by This is 12 hours ago.

This is South Wales --

MEFIN Davies has given the Ospreys the inside track on his old club Leicester ahead of Sunday's blockbusting Heineken Cup encounter in Swansea, saying they remain the best side in the Aviva Premiership.

"It's the best side in Wales against the best in England," said Davies (above), who spent three seasons at Welford Road before returning to Wales in 2010.

"It is going to be a massive game."

The Ospreys have to win to keep alive their European hopes for the season, while the Tigers are targeting at least a losing bonus point to advance their chances of finishing top of Pool 2.

The stage is set for an intense forward struggle, with Leicester set to arrive in Swansea with the uncompromising forward game that has long been their hallmark.

They have lost their last three away games against the Ospreys, two in Europe and one in the LV= Cup, but Davies warns that they will look to be ruthless as they chase a Heineken Cup quarter-final place.

"Leicester have a mentality that is based on forward dominance," said the former Wales hooker.

"It is no secret what they will bring.

"They will be ruthless, they will have a big work ethic and they will look to squeeze the Ospreys up front, just as they squeezed Worcester with two late Reported by This is 12 hours ago.

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