Dismayed to learn of pub's demolition
I was saddened and dismayed to learn of the proposed demolition of the vacant Victory Hotel, in Aylestone Road, for more parking for the infirmary ("Pub to be hospital car park", Mercury, December 14).
The building, known for most of its life as The Bedford, was clearly built in two main phases, dating probably from the late-Georgian and mid-Victorian eras.
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It is now the only remaining building of note in this prominent locality at the corner of Knighton Street, the one on the adjacent corner having been demolished two years ago.
This one was known for nearly all of its life as the Freeman's Arms Hotel.
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Towards the end of its life it went through three changes of name in quick succession.
Would it not be possible to retain the frontage of the Victory in some form, as a vestige of architectural value which once existed here?
It is also disturbing that this building is not even on the local interest list, which does not confer any protection anyway.
It is just one of probably hundreds in the city not in conservation areas worthy of such recognition, if not listed building status.
The dire shortage of parking on the infirmary site is well-recognised and there have been proposals to build a multi-storey car park there for some years, which would cause even more problems if, and while, it went ahead.
Have other options been explored? Some people could park on the pay-and-display car park on the Granby Halls site.
There is the existing multi-storey car park bounded by Infirmary Road/Pelham Street/Welford Road, which I think is reserved for infirmary staff.
Is there any spare capacity there, which could be used by the public?
Keith Dickens, Leicester.
Comments
by Eastonian
Friday, January 04 2013, 9:25AM
“The building of a multi-storey car park would, I agree, cause some inconvenience whilst under construction but the benefits once built would far outweigh the problems.
Perhaps, an alternative would be to concrete over the whole of Nelson Mandela Park for car parking, (I'm only joking!!)”