We expect our services to be extremely busy, some may be subject to cancellations or an amended timetable. Services are expected to be busy on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 December. Due to industrial action by the RMT Union at one of our four maintenance partners in the Edinburgh area, there may be alterations between Saturday 30 December and Monday 1 January. Due to a high number of cancellations, CrossCountry Trains have announced temporary disruption over the next couple of weeks. During this period, passengers can expect to adjusted timetables, potential delays and we expect our services to be extremely busy. We understand that this may inconvenience our passengers and appreciate the ongoing support and understanding. To minimise disruption, CrossCountry Trains have advised that passengers please check journey planners for the latest information before travelling, the last train to your station may be extremely busy, please allow extra time for your journey and where possible travel on additional services where provided for a comfortable journey back home. Our journey planners are the best place to find all the latest travel information. 2023 has been a challenging year for all train operators. The widespread industrial action has greatly increased the levels of cancellation. General punctuality of the service has been impacted by recent storms and extreme weather which has led to speed restrictions being imposed and affecting passenger lateness. An increase in Network Rail structural and embankment incidents has also contributed to a rise in cancellations with significant incidents seen at Nuneham, Plessey, Aycliffe and at Lydney. We at CrossCountry continue to work closely with Network Rail on improving the punctuality and reliability of our services. This collaborative working has contributed to improvements in asset reliability, track quality and improved operational resilience at key locations and junctions that we operate over. For further information please see - Disruption | CrossCountry (crosscountrytrains.co.uk)

People were evacuated from their homes after a serious fire broke out in a factory building in Leicester. Emergency services were called to the blaze in Bridge Street, North Evington, at about 17:25 GMT on Thursday. About 40 firefighters worked to extinguish the flames using hose reel jets. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said 10 houses in the immediate area were evacuated to keep residents safe as they tackled the blaze. Other locals were advised by police to keep their windows and doors closed. Road closures in Rolleston Street, Bridge Road, Leicester Street and Baggrave Street remained in place on Friday afternoon. The fire service said the scene would be examined by forensic officers and fire examiners to determine the cause and establish if there were any suspicious circumstances.

Today Leicestershire Police has introduced a new public pledge to reaffirm its commitment to serve the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its aim is to set out clearly what the force does as an emergency service and where Leicestershire Police will continue to strengthen its service and raise standards. The Pledge was developed by officers and staff with feedback from communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Chief Constable Rob Nixon said: “I have introduced the Leicestershire Police Pledge to reaffirm the force’s steadfast commitment to good service and high standards. Our teams of officers, staff and volunteers step out day and night to protect our communities, detect and prevent crime. We want to be clear with the public about the service they can expect, from answering emergency calls to catching criminals, and focus on what matters. “Nationally and locally the police are asked to do more and more while crime and prevention become more complicated. We want people to have confidence in the service we give which starts with being open and clear about what the force does and where we continue to improve and invest our resources. “The Pledge sets out our duty and service as an emergency service. Obviously, it’s what we do that matters in a pledge and that is our focus. We want to stick to policing’s core role, what the public expect and want to see, and deliver it well and to high standards.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has welcomed tough new action to target spiking as the festive season gets into full swing. The Commissioner has repeatedly called for tougher measures to tackle spiking while supporting projects designed to protect people from being assaulted in this way. The Home Office has now announced its plans to modernise legislation and carry out further research into self-testing kits as part of a raft of measures to improve understanding of spiking and deliver better support to victims. Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC Mr Matthews said: "I strongly support these changes. Spiking is a predatory and abhorrent crime, and it is vital that perpetrators understand that such behaviour will be treated with the utmost severity. "I welcome the improved legislative clarity being proposed and the emphasis on prevention. By arming our night-time economy staff with the training and tools needed to better support victims, we will prevent further crimes from occurring including sexual violence. "I also support the investment in testing kits to retrieve evidence quickly and help bring more offenders to justice. This will inevitably increase confidence among future victims to come forward and report their experiences." Mr Matthews has invested significant budget funding into projects that directly address spiking or support a safer night-time economy across the force area. This supports his Police and Crime Plan priority to tackle violence and make the night time economy safer. Alongside funding the roll-out of thousands of anti-spiking covers for drinks across universities and neighbourhood policing areas, the PCC provided £9k to the Safer North West Leicestershire Community Safety Partnership (SNWL) to commission education provider Knowledge is Power (KISP) to deliver street-based interventions with young people to address exploitation. Support covered a range of issues including spiking and healthy relationships. In further support, he invested £15k to support Leicester Business Improvement District's (BID) work on the Best Bar None scheme, supporting engagement with up to 90 licensed premises to ensure staff throughout the city have processes in place and are better equipped to intervene and prevent crimes relating to the night-time economy. Elsewhere, the Commissioner provided £20k in funding to boost first aid provision in Leicester City Centre, enabling Leicester BID to commission additional first aid sessions from St Johns Ambulance to cover high priority night-time economy days including pay day weekends, bank holidays and key festivals to provide urgent care faster and avoid unnecessary A&E attendances. The project aims to help prevent crime by treating people who have become vulnerable through drink or drugs, and ensuring safe passage home, to reduce the risk of these individuals becoming victims or perpetrators of crime.

Morningside Arena Leicester is excited to host “West End to Covent Garden”, an Opera evening hosted by Octave Opera Group on Febuary 14, 2024. Octave, founded by Jill Worth, will perform music to raise money for the Leicester Riders Foundation’s incredible work throughout the Leicestershire community. The Leicestershire-based opera group consists of only local signers, and performs for charitable causes around the county. Jill is the wife of Bill Worth, a founding member of the Loughborough All-Stars in 1967, which would later become the Leicester Riders. Octave will host an evening of live opera entertainment, as they take you on a musical journey featuring iconic songs from Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera and many more classics! Enjoy a 2-course sit-down meal and a cash bar throughout the evening. We will also be hosting a charity auction, featuring numerous items of sporting memorabilia, events and experiences. Jill Worth commented: “It feels absolutely brilliant to give something back to the Riders, who I have had a lifelong connection with through my husband, Bill. It should be an amazing night. “We have something for everybody on the night, so please come down to the Arena and support the fantastic work of the Leicester Riders Foundation.” Tables of 8 and 10 are available at £40 + VAT per head, offering a perfect opportunity to enjoy the night with friends, family, or colleagues. You can associate your company brand with this charitable event, as we offer sponsorship opportunities for £100 + VAT per advert. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of this incredible evening. For reservations visit: https://booking.leicesterarena.co.uk/packages/LZEmOKzmpW/e/AOJa1VonXM. For sponsorship inquiries, contact tracey@leicesterarena.co.uk. Join us for a night of live opera in the heart of Leicester. You can make a meaningful impact on the Leicester Riders Foundation's charity initiatives.

Leicester's Grand Hotel is set for a major facelift that will help restore its historic street-level shopfronts and entrances to their former glory. The Grade II listed building in Granby Street, in the city centre, is set to be repaired and restored as part of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zones. As part of a major programme of improvements now underway, the shopfronts that line the Granby Street façade of the hotel will be reinstated as close to the building’s original design as possible, using sustainable hardwood and toughened glass. Recessed doorways will be fitted with bespoke iron gates, and new signage will be introduced, in keeping with the building. There will also be improvements made to the hotel’s entrance, with cleaning and repairs made to the oriel windows and balcony. Work to restore the existing canopy above the entrance is also planned. Work is expected to take around five months to complete and will be supported as part of the city council’s successful bid for £1.5million towards a High Street Heritage Action Zone for the Granby Street and Church Gate conservation areas. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on climate, culture and the economy, said: “The restoration of the Grand Hotel’s historic street-level frontages is good news for Granby Street and the city centre. “The Grand Hotel is a fine example of Leicester’s Victorian past and the city’s rich architectural heritage. It is a local landmark and has long been considered one of Leicester's most prestigious hotels. With the support of Historic England, this investment will help to restore the building to its former glory, create a much more attractive street scene, and make the area feel safer and more welcoming to all. “It will also build on recent work to improve routes along Granby Street and Belvoir Street, and will help further improve the look and feel of this important gateway into the city centre. “It’s important that we continue to invest in our historic city centre shopping streets to support local businesses, boost the city’s economy and create a place where many more people want to live, work and visit.” A grant of £700,000 has been awarded towards the cost of the restoration work, which is estimated to cost about £900,000. The hotel owners will contribute £200,000 towards the project. Andrew Pring, asset and investment director at Jupiter Hotels which owns The Grand Hotel, said: “We are pleased to be working with both Historic England and Leicester City Council to restore the façade of the hotel on Granby Street close to the original design. This will be the first stage of further significant investment in the hotel, with plans to upgrade the internal areas of the hotel in 2024.” High Street Heritage Action Zones are areas up and down the country which have been singled out by Historic England for funding support. They encourage local councils, businesses, architects and contractors to work together to bid for funding which can be used to sympathetically restore historic buildings. Louise Brennan, Regional Director for the Midlands at Historic England, said: “This restoration work will be a welcome step in the revitalising of this wonderful area of Leicester. The Grand Hotel is a prestigious building, and we are looking forward to supporting the repair and refurbishment of its street-facing ground floor. Hopefully, this will encourage more people, both tourists and local residents, to step inside to see its fantastic interior and become part of this historic building’s future.” Work to restore the Grand Hotel will be led by Leicester-based Hickman & Smith Architects and carried out by specialist contractors Trinity. Gateley RJA are appointed as Quantity Surveyors. Earlier survey and design work was carried out by conservation experts Conception Architects. David Hickman, director and architect at Hickman & Smith, said: “We’re excited to be working with a great team on this project and to help deliver the restoration of traditional features to the Grand Hotel shopfronts. As a local practice, the opportunity to contribute to the regeneration of the Granby Street Conservation Area is a very exciting prospect. “This project offers a fantastic opportunity to make a long lasting and positive visual impact that will improve the character of the conservation area on this principal route into the city centre from Leicester Station, whilst raising awareness of the benefits of conservation.”

Leicester City Council will be making changes to its regular waste and recycling collection days due to the Christmas bank holidays. All collections will be a day later than normal during Christmas week. This means that the regular Tuesday collection due on 26 December will move to Wednesday 27 December. The regular Wednesday collection (27 Dec) will take place on Thursday (28 Dec), Thursday’s collection (28 Dec) will move to Friday (29 Dec), and the regular Friday collection (29 Dec) will take place on Saturday (30 Dec). Waste and recycling collections will return to normal from Tuesday 2 January 2024. All bins and orange bags should be put out for collection by 7am on the correct day. Households can put out as many orange recycling bags as they need for their recyclable waste. Festive items like sweet and biscuit tins and tubs, glass bottles and jars, cardboard boxes, non-metallic wrapping paper and glitter-free greetings cards can all be bagged for collection as recycling. Electrical items, particularly those containing rechargeable batteries, should be taken to a recycling centre to be disposed of safely. There will also be some changes to the opening hours at the city’s two waste and recycling centres over the holiday period. Both the Gypsum Close and Freemen’s Common sites will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The centres will be open from 8am until 2pm on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) and New Year's Eve (31 Dec), and from 8am until 6pm at all other times. The Gypsum Close Reuse Shop is open Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day when it will be closed and on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve when it will close early at 1pm. Details of opening times for the Gypsum Close trade recycling centre will be available on the council’s website. For more information visit www.leicester.gov.uk/recycling

The finishing touches have been made to Leicester’s festive ice rink in Jubilee Square, and seasonal skaters can start planning their visits to the city’s popular Christmas attraction. Opening on Thursday (7 Dec), the fully roofed ice rink means there’s no need to worry about the weather, and non-skaters can relax and watch the world glide by in the Alpine-style bar area. And there’s still time to grab a bargain for the ice rink’s two preview days – on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 December – when all sessions will cost a flat rate of £5 per person. The ice rink will then be open for skating every day over the festive period, except Christmas Day itself, until Sunday 7 January, with lots of slots available at peak, off-peak and quiet times to suit all tastes. Super off-peak pricing has been extended this year, meaning there’ll be more opportunities to skate for just £5 at selected sessions. Opening hours are 10am to 8.45pm daily, with the last admission for skating at 8pm. The Alpine Bar will be open until 10pm. Last admission for skaters on Christmas Eve will be at 4pm. DJ Takeover nights will make a return to the rink on most Friday and Saturday evenings with a live DJ performing from the centre of the ice. Theme nights include a 90s Disco on Friday 22 December, Indie Anthems on Friday 29 December and an R&B Night on Friday 5 January. Revellers can also take to the rink for Ibiza on ice on New Year’s Eve. A student night will be taking place on Monday 11 December. For a more peaceful experience, there will be special quiet sessions on 26 and 28 December, and again on 2 and 4 January, at 12.15pm when there will be no loud music. Skate hire and a 45-minute session on the ice will cost just £5 at super off-peak times. Off-peak tickets will cost £11.50 for adults and £10.50 for children concessions. Standard price tickets will cost £13.50 for adults and £11.50 for children/concessions. Little ones won’t be left out of all the fun with skating aids available for hire for younger skaters, making the ice rink great fun and safe for all the family. Tickets for skate aids can be purchased for £5 in the ice rink at the skate collection point, on a first come, first serve basis. Only card payments will be taken inside the ice rink. Wheelchair users can also join in the fun on the ice rink at any session. Tickets are available now from Leicester’s dedicated Christmas website at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk and in person from the Visit Leicester Centre, located at the King Richard III Visitor Centre opposite Leicester Cathedral. Tickets should be bought in advance to avoid disappointment, and will not available to purchase at the ice rink itself. The Jubilee Square ice rink will be at the heart of Leicester’s Christmas events. It will be joined in Jubilee Square by the popular 110-ft high Wheel of Light Ferris wheel, which offers unrivalled views over the city centre. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth on site. Prices range from £7 for a standard ticket, £5 for children under 1.4metres tall, or £20 for a family of four. Wheelchair access is available to one of the gondolas – assistance will be provided for anyone using this gondola. The Wheel of Light will be open from Monday to Friday 12noon to 9pm, and from midday till 10pm on weekends. Elsewhere in the city, Santa’s grotto will be waiting to welcome visitors of all ages at Town Hall Square from Saturday 2 December until Saturday 23 December. Admission to the grotto is free and all children visiting Santa in the Square will receive a gift. People can also enjoy the traditional Nativity scene in Town Hall Square, with lights, music and a recording of local schoolchildren telling the Christmas Bible story. The Emergence light installation will be open from Wednesday 13 December until Saturday 23 December, at the bottom of New Walk. The audio-visual sculpture features over 10,000 LED lights intricately arranged within mirrored tunnel alcoves to create a spectacular visual display. Just outside the city centre, Abbey Park will come alive with an enchanted outdoor light trail, bringing illuminations and interactive elements leading visitors on an enchanted experience. It runs until Christmas Eve, from 5pm to 8.30pm daily. Deputy city mayor for climate, economy and culture, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “The festive ice rink and Wheel of Light have become firm favourites over recent years and are wonderful additions to the Christmas offer in the city centre. “However, there are also many other activities which can be enjoyed free of charge. The range of attractions on offer really do promise something suitable for all ages, abilities and tastes, and all help to create a wonderfully welcoming festive atmosphere for people visiting Leicester over the festive period.” More information, opening hours and booking details where required, for all of Leicester’s Christmas attractions are available at www.ChristmasInLeicester.co.uk

Holidays are coming... Fosse Park is the next stop for the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas Truck that’s bringing Santa’s spirit this festive season. Head to South Car Park on Friday 8th December, between 12pm – 7.30pm, to experience the magic of Christmas with your loved ones and embrace your inner Santa. Visitors will have a magical time full of laughter as there will be plenty of photo opportunities, seasonal singers, gamified giveaways and of course, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar sampling. Visitors will be encouraged to recycle their finished sample cans too.

Motorists are being reminded of the dangers of drink drug driving following the latest national figures which show that the number of people being convicted has risen considerable over the last ten years. Ministry of Justice statistics show convictions for driving a motorvehicle under the influence of drink or drugs overall, increased from 41,457 in 2014 to 58,117 in 2022 – a rise of 40%. Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby, Head of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Leicestershire Police, said, “People who drink and or take drugs (whether illicit or prescription drugs taken without heading the cautions in the guidelines) and drive, place themselves, their loved ones, other road users and pedestrians at grave, avoidable risk.” “Following our similar campaign last winter over 170 drivers will have started the new year with a drink drug drive conviction.” “Just because you haven’t been out at the pub – drinking at home can still leave you over the limit, including the morning after, can I remind drivers not to put themselves and others at risk by choosing to have None for the Road.” “Drivers should be aware that Leicestershire Police patrol 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to challenge drink drug drivers and bring them before the courts.” If you see someone who appears to be a drink or drug driverenter a vehicle to drive away, make a note of the registration plate and the direction of travel and call your local police on 101 or make a make a free and anonymous call to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Enlightened Leicester. Enlightened, the magical outdoor light trail is set to arrive in Leicester’s Abbey Park this November to coincide with the city’s Diwali and Christmas celebrations. From November until Christmas Eve, Enlightened transforms the grounds of the prestigious venue in the heart of Leicester City Centre into a mile long journey of wonder and light for the whole family to enjoy. A specially crafted route will immerse visitors in the magic and enchantment of Enlightened and is bursting with new interactive and awe-inspiring installations for 2023. Step into the illuminated world and see curious creatures brought to life with special effects that will guide you through the trail. As you wander under the night sky, immerse yourself in the sparkling illuminations that will stimulate the senses and stir the imagination. A beautifully crafted soundscape fills the night air with joy and will have younger visitors dancing with delight. Upon arrival guests will be immediately greeted with a colossal 50m digital tunnel of light made up of tens of thousands of colourful bulbs that cascade to music as you journey on through. Laser style beams of light stream through the dense woodland and haze fills the air upon reaching the land of enchantment. Rotating shards of illumination transform the entrance this magical land where our woodland characters introduce the trail. In the centre of the park, colour changing fountains dance with joy to the beat the soundscape and a ocean of light transforms the meadows into a light show not to be missed. Delve deeper along the trail and discover a truly magical land where holographic creatures flutter around the undergrowth as visitors are invited to contribute to the ever-increasing scale of the wishing wall – a place where dreams really can come true. A new discovery awaits around every corner. Why not try your hand at the duelling light sabres or see if your group can solve some of our interactive illuminated games within the time. Hop, skip and jump along our light up stepping-stones and don’t forget your camera as a new family photo opportunity awaits at every stop along the Enlightened Trail. Enlightened is hosted at Abbey Park in Leicester and is running during both the Diwali celebrations and the Christmas period. Enlightened at Diwali runs from the 9th to the 14th November and Enlightened at Christmas runs from the 16th November to the 24th December 2023. First entry is at 5:00pm each night and timed entry tickets are available every 15 minutes until 8pm. Tickets start at £9 for children and £12.50 for adults. So gather your family and friends, wrap up warm and don’t miss this magical event that will transform Abbey Park into a truly new light! Book tickets here https://www.enlightenedmoments.co.uk/events/abbey-park-2023/ See what other Leicester Festivals are taking place this winter in the 2023 What's On Festival Guide Video by Craig Thorpe

The DJ and presenter Scott Mills will get the Christmas party started in Leicester this week as he turns on the city’s famous festive lights. Scott will be joined on the Haymarket balcony by the Lord Mayor of Leicester to count down to the big switch-on from 6pm on Wednesday (22 November). Leicester fan Scott, who’ll be appearing in De Montfort Hall’s panto this Christmas, said: “Leicester is fast becoming my second home so when I was asked to switch the lights on, how could I decline! “I’ll be playing all the festive favourites from the balcony near the Clock Tower so come and say hello, before we light up Leicester for Christmas!” Before the lights go on at 6.30pm, there’ll be plenty of family fun to enjoy. From 5pm, Town Hall Square will be filled with the traditional sound of Christmas, with music from the No Bars Orchestra, the EAGA Gospel Choir, the Ratby Crescendo Band and the Syston Band. Visitors can also discover the story of Christmas, with the figures of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus taking their place in the square’s nativity scene, while children should look out for Santa, who'll be popping in to Town Hall Square to see them. With hundreds of festive lights dressing the Town Hall and the fountain, Town Hall Square is a great place for families with young children to watch the lights go on at 6.30pm. Bringing festive fun to the city centre will be some cheeky costumed characters, including Horace and Boris, the Bouncy Elves, an 8ft-tall penguin called Blizzard, and an illuminated stilt walker. Look out for them between Town Hall Square and Gallowtree Gate. On Humberstone Gate, there’ll be festive rides with the Billy Bates Funfair, while the 110ft Wheel of Light on Jubilee Square will be offering a bird’s eye view over Leicester. There’ll also be plenty of fun at the Haymarket Shopping Centre from 4.45pm, with live entertainment hosted by EavaFM. Just before 6.30pm, Scott will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Dr Susan Barton, and Radio Leicester’s Ady Dayman to count down to Leicester’s big switch-on. A 50ft Christmas tree at the Clock Tower will sparkle with thousands of white lights, while the city centre’s streets will be bathed in colour as 16,000 LED lamps light up. A spectacular troupe of illuminated drummers will then lead the way to the Haymarket shopping centre for the switch-on of their lights at 6.45pm, before heading for Highcross at 7.15pm, where people can enjoy Bright Christmas – a free immersive light experience featuring 6,000 LED lamps and a festive soundtrack. Just a short walk from Highcross, the bars and restaurants of St Martin’s Square will be welcoming visitors for the switch-on of their festive lights at 7.45pm. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Once again, our lighting team have worked their magic to make sure that Leicester sparkles under thousands of twinkling lights this Christmas. “The colourful lights provide the backdrop for a great night out in Leicester, whether you’re out with your family, meeting up with friends, or getting Christmas sorted with some late-night shopping. “The big switch-on is always a brilliant event and we look forward to welcoming people from across the county to the city centre to watch Leicester light up for Christmas.” Those wishing to make a start on their Christmas shopping will find that many of the city centre’s small and independent shops will extend their opening hours on switch-on night, while stores at Highcross and the Haymarket will be trading until 8pm. To avoid disappointment, shoppers should check opening times with individual stores, as hours may vary. Park & Ride services will be extended for the big switch-on, with the last buses for Meynell’s Gorse and Birstall leaving the city centre at 9pm, while the last bus to the Enderby site will depart at 8.55pm on 22 November. In addition, HOP! – the city’s free circular bus service – will continue running until 9pm to encourage people to explore all the city centre has to offer. The switch-on of the Christmas lights signals the start of a busy festive season in Leicester. From Saturday 2 December until Saturday 23 December, Santa will be welcoming children to his snow-topped grotto in Town Hall Square. As in previous years, visits to Santa will be free of charge so that all children can enjoy a magical Christmas experience. Other highlights include the return of the city’s real ice rink on Thursday 7 December, which will join the spectacular Wheel of Light in Jubilee Square for the festive season. Both attractions will be open until Sunday 7 January. Full details of all the events taking place in Leicester this Christmas are available at www.christmasinleicester.co.uk Leicester City Council is grateful to Octopus Energy for their generous sponsorship of the Christmas Lights' Switch-On.