Leicester’s Clean Streets

Whether you are stepping off the train, meeting friends in the Cultural Quarter, or taking a weekend stroll through the Lanes, we want everyone who visits Leicester to feel welcomed and looked after. As a council, we have listened closely to what matters most to our residents, businesses, and visitors. Cleaner streets and a reassuring presence on the ground remain top priorities for the City Mayor and his executive team, driving an intensive focus on how we deliver these vital services across the city centre.

To support this priority, we have been scaling up our street cleaning operations, carrying out more deep cleans, and increasing patrols across our busiest areas as well as quieter, connecting routes on a far more regular basis.

A lot of this activity happens while most of the city is still fast asleep. Long before the shops open or morning commuters arrive, our teams are out in the early morning air clearing away the night before. What makes me proudest as Director is knowing that most of our team members are Leicester residents themselves. They aren’t just doing a job, they live here, their families are here, and they take personal pride in making their home city shine for everyone else.

Because so much of this work happens before dawn, it can be easy to miss the effort involved. That is why our in-house marketing team has launched a series of behind-the-scenes videos showing our crews in action. These videos give you a rare look into the early starts, the specialised equipment, and the dedication it takes to reset the city centre every single day.

Leicester needs to feel safe as well as clean, which is why our street cleaners work together with our new Public Space Patrol Officers. Together, these teams act as the eyes, ears, and friendly faces of Leicester City Centre. You will see them out on high-visibility patrols during the day and well into the evening, working closely with the local police so people of all ages and mobilities feel secure. They are also friendly faces, and often you will see them giving directions, recommending a spot, or answering any questions our visitors have.

Keeping Leicester looking its best is a team effort, and local residents and visitors play a big part too. If you ever spot something that needs attention, you can quickly report cleaning standards or safety issues using the Love Clean Streets app or the council’s website. Taking a little ownership helps all of us act as ambassadors for our city.

By Sean Atterbury

Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services, Leicester City Council