Leicester City Centre Staircase Designated “At Risk”

Historic England has issued a warning regarding a prominent staircase located in Leicester city centre, stating that it is “at risk” due to deteriorating sections of its structure. This staircase, locally referred to as the Rialto Bridge, is situated adjacent to the Corn Exchange in Market Place. It is among 21 locations that the organization has included in its At Risk Register for 2024. According to Historic England, the Grade-II* listed site faces risk because rainwater run-off is contributing to the deterioration of the staircase’s thin stone cladding. Leicester City Council, the owner of the building and lessor of its ground floor as a pub, stated that it has already engaged specialist surveyors. Their task is to determine the necessary work for the staircase’s preservation and restoration to usability. The register, which was unveiled on Thursday, offers an annual overview of the condition of historical structures and sites across England, aiming to ensure their future preservation. This year, the East Midlands region accounts for a total of 470 entries on the register, marking an increase of eight entries compared to 2023. Su Barton, the city council’s heritage champion, commented: “The Corn Exchange is a much-loved and familiar landmark, an iconic image of the Market Place, that holds special memories for many local people.”The arrangements for repair and restoration are already under way and we are committed to beginning work as soon as possible.” The Corn Exchange itself dates back to 1851, having been conceived by architect William Flint as a single-storey hall for market trading. Historic England noted that Frederick Webster Ordish expanded the building in 1855 by adding an additional floor to house magistrates’ court hearings. A spokesperson for the city council stated: “We survey and monitor historic structures on a regular basis to ensure safety and preserve their heritage.“We hope to ensure this site can come off the ‘at risk’ register as soon as possible.”In the meantime, the steps are cordoned off to protect them, and we will be working closely with Historic England, and exploring funding options which could be open to us for ‘at risk’ buildings.”