Leicester City Council seeks new contractor for £22m station revamp

Leicester City Council has reissued its call for bids to overhaul Leicester station after a previous tender failed to attract competitive interest.

The move follows a failed £22m contract attempt earlier this year, where only one company submitted a bid.

Mayor Soulsby blamed the lack of bids on the “sudden shortage of contractors”, which is a “reflection of the state of the industry.”

Led by Leicester City Council, Network Rail, and East Midlands Railway, the project secured nearly £18m in levelling-up funding.

The redevelopment aims to transform the historic station into a modern transport hub and public space. Work is set to begin in April 2026, running until October 2029, with the possibility of extending into 2030.

Plans include moving the station’s main entrance from London Road to Station Street and creating a pedestrianised plaza to replace the former traffic-heavy area.

Pick-up and drop-off points, including those for hackney cabs, will be relocated to a new area near Fox Street, close to the updated entrance.

The existing covered entrance hall will be overhauled to accommodate cafes, bars, or retail spaces under its glass roof.

Accessibility will be enhanced with a new curved ramp, steps, and a lift leading to the main concourse.

The ticket hall will be remodelled to include wider barriers and more space for passengers, with bike storage placed under the new entrance ramp.

The winning contractor must meet Network Rail standards and participate in both the early design and construction phases.