Case study

£8.6 million Levelling Up investment for Leicester’s Pilot House

Leicester’s Pilot House was allocated £8.6 million from the Levelling Up Fund.

Artist’s impression of the front of the planned regeneration of the former factory building, Pilot House.

The investment will:

  • create more highly skilled jobs
  • regenerate a key part of the city

The former factory building on King Street will become a landmark in Leicester. This new destination will have a specific focus on creative and design industries.

Small and medium businesses will benefit from the refurbished space.

Pilot House’s new purpose

The space will be used as:

  • high-quality premises for higher education
  • a base for businesses
  • events facilities

Benefitting Leicester

Benefits to the local area include:

  • providing essential space for creative businesses
  • supporting around 250 jobs
  • encouraging talent retention

Wider regeneration for the high street

Artist’s impression of the proposed redevelopment of Lower New Walk, Belvoir Street, and the Market Street area

In the long term, funding will support the redevelopment of Lower New Walk, Belvoir Street, and the Market Street area.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said:

This project will transform a group of architecturally significant heritage buildings into a landmark destination that will become a source of pride for Leicester.

Leicester was awarded an additional £37 million from the first round of the Levelling Up Fund to progress other regeneration projects around the city.

Find out more about the Levelling Up Fund.

Updates to this page

Published 17 January 2023