Psychogeography Project for my Networked Media Module

1. My
Leicester
An A-Z

2. Americandy is a small independent
shop in the Highcross shopping centre
that sells American candy, drinks,
cereals and other uncommon food
items. This shop stands out for me
when thinking about Leicester because
of the many visits with my best
friends to buy Reece’s Cups and Flipz
that are difficult to find in English
shops.
Is for

3. Bembridge Road is in the Anstey Lane
area of Leicester and is the street
where my boyfriend lives. It is in this
street that I spend about a third of
my time, the other two thirds of the
time I am either in University classes
or in my flat/ out with friends. I have
grown to feel at home in this street-
Over the past couple of months and so
it is an important place in my
Leicester.
Is for Bembridge Road

4. The Clock Tower for me, is the centre
point of Leicester. It is in the centre of
the city and is surrounded by shops,
cafes, restaurants, and on a good day
is occupied by gospel singers. The
recent visit by The Queen, Prince
Phillip and The Duchess of Cambridge
shows how important the landmark is
to Leicester, and it is indeed also
important to me.
Is for Clock Tower

5. The reason behind my move to
Leicester, was of course, to attend
University. De Montfort is where I
chose to study and I have lived here
for six months in pursuit of my
education and independence. DMU is
lively, brilliantly situated, modern
and innovative, that is why I knew it
was the place for me. I wanted a city
lifestyle, modern campus and living
and nightlife, DMU offers it all.
Is for De Montfort

6. Esquires is my new favourite coffee
shop. Situated in Market Street I first
visited in February when meeting my
boyfriend after work. I don’t drink
tea or coffee so I am consequently a
connoisseur of hot chocolate.
Esquires make a wonderful mint hot
chocolate and ever since my first visit
I return about once a week to drink,
relax, read and people watch.
Is for Esquires

7. Until moving to Leicester, I had never
heard of the department store;
Fenwick. To my knowledge there are
not any of the stores in Norfolk and
so the store has always grabbed my
attention. The green building is on my
journey into town and I pass it every
time I have to attend lectures off
campus. I would love to spend an hour
or two browsing all the items I
cannot afford, one day I will.
Is for Fenwick

8. The Guildhall is a 14th century building
situated next to Leicester Cathedral
in the city centre. Built around 1390
the building still stands over 600
years later. I really like the
Guildhall because of how it stands
out. In-between the Cathedral and
modern buildings it shows how the
city has developed around it, and it
has survived all the changes. It is also
a lovely building to look at in my
opinion.
Is for Guildhall

9. Highcross is the main shopping centre
in Leicester’s city centre. Built over
the old Shires it was part of the
regeneration of the city a few years
ago. Highcross reminds me of
Chapelfield, a similar shopping centre
in Norwich, close to my hometown.
The centre itself has all the stores I
need to shop and all the restaurants I
like to eat it, it has everything I need,
all in one place.
Is for Highcross

10. Ideal Homes is a furniture store on
the corner of Blackbird Road and
Buckminster Road in the Anstey Lane
area. It is a notable landmark for me
because it is always the first thing I
recognise when on my way to my
boyfriend’s house. It also stands out
because inside the store, a wall is
covered in the same wallpaper that is
in my old room at my house in
Norfolk.
Is for Ideal Homes

11. The John Lewis building, is simply
incredible. I love the patterns on the
glass and the scale of the building. It
is a landmark in Leicester, everyone
sees it and recognises it because it is
unique. The walkway to the car park
holds memories; a friend and I got
locked in when following people
leaving the closing building
Is for John Lewis

12. The Kimberlin Library is any DMU
student’s second home, and I am no
different. I have spent many late night
and early mornings in the library
writing essays and searching for
books that seem to hide from you. The
library is the at the heart of
University life, it has everything you
need, and is open 24/7, which is what I
love about it.
Is for Kimberlin Library

13. Liberty Park is the halls of residence
in which I have lived for six months. It
is a five minute walk from DMU and
overlooks the River Soar. Liberty is
known for having a few ridiculous
rules but in general, it has been a
pleasant place to live, especially as a
student. The courtyard allows us to
socialise in a nice environment when
not in our flats. Living here has given
me so many friends.
Is for Liberty Park

14. Mosh is my favourite place to be on a
Friday night. A small alternative
nightclub that attracts not only
younger crowds but older ones too. I
love listening to the music I like and it
seems on a night out, the only place
that plays decent music that is
different, is Mosh.
Is for Mosh

15. New Walk is one of my favourite parts
of the city centre. The 200 year old
walkway leads from the New Walk
Council buildings all the way to
Victoria Park and considering it’s
location in the heart of the city, it is
unusually quiet. Many of the buildings
stand out because of their Georgian
features. I have walked along the
strip many times and have even taken
my family on a tour of the city
recently.
Is for New Walk

16. Orange Tree is a popular student bar
in the High Street. It is a great place to
drink before going to a club. What I
love about Orange Tree is that it is
vibrantly decorated and none of the
tables and chairs match, it makes it
unique and quirky. I also like that
amateur artwork hangs on the walls
and it is available to purchase.
Is for Orange

17. Phoenix Square I visit regularly
because one lecture and screening in
my University course a week are at the
Phoenix cinema. I love the cinema
building because of the unique colour
and design. I like that it is in the city
centre, but not in a busy area. I also
am a fan of their white chocolate hot
chocolate and drink one in the cafe
after every lecture there.
Is for Phoenix Square

18. Queens Court is a block of student
apartments let out to 2nd and 3rd year
students at De Montfort University. It
is also where I will be living with
four of my friends during my next
year in Leicester and over the coming
summer months. Situated behind the
library, it is in a perfect location for
us to walk into Uni from.
Is for Queens Court

19. Raw Dykes Road is the street where
my halls of residence is. When I first
noticed the unusual street name
before moving, I was subjected to a
few jokes from my friends back in
Norfolk as I have fought the lesbian
stereotype since having my hair cut
short. Since moving here I found out
that the ‘Raw Dykes’ were Roman
earthworks located down the road
from my halls.
Is for Raw Dykes Road

20. Subway is one of my favourite fast
food places. It is also the best meal
to eat after a night out in Mosh which
is only three shops away. Open all
night at weekends it has given us many
a drunk meal and since becoming a
regular customer, the friendly staff
recognise my order when I come in;
they have even predicted it and
started making it before I have asked.
Is for Subway

21. Town Hall Square is Horsefair Street
and considering the urban location, is
lush and green, perfect for relaxing
in during busy lunch breaks. At
Christmas, the square is decorated
with elaborate scenes such as the
Nativity scene to celebrate the
holiday period. I am looking forward
to sitting with my friends on the grass
during the summer months when we
are in the city centre.
Is for Town Hall

22. The University of Leicester Open Day
was the reason I first visited the city.
As soon as we arrived I have a positive
feeling about it. The University
however impressive, did not win me
over as the course was not for me.
The city however had caught my
attention and I was disappointed when
the University was not what I was
looking for. Now funnily enough UOL is
my rival as a DMU student.
Is for UOL

23. When I first visited DMU on an Open
Day, I was shown around Victoria Hall
as it is a privately owned hall of
residence. I wanted to live there and
it was one of the factors that made
me choose DMU. When booking my
accommodation, it was full and I
instead booked Liberty Park. Now my
best friend lives there and so I visit
frequently when going to see her, so
the building is still important to me.
Is for Victoria

24. Wagamama is my favourite restaurant
in Leicester. Since moving here, my
friend and I have become regular
customers visiting about twice a
month. I only ever have one dish;
Chicken Katsu Curry, and I am never
disappointed. I also their white
chocolate and ginger cheesecake, a
treat if we receive positive
assessment results. I love the area
that it is in too, the surrounding
buildings are amazing.
Is for Wagamama

25. It took me 10 minutes of being in
Leicester to know that I liked it and
could imagine myself living here, even
though I had only seen a very small
part of the city itself. Since moving
here I have had the best time of my
life.
Is 10

26. The Y Theatre is a small venue run by
the YMCA in East Street. Before moving
to Leicester I did a case study on arts
and performance venues in the city as
part of a BTEC Unit. So before living
here the venue was known to me and I
have included it as part of my search
for a job in the arts and theatre
industry.
Is for The Y Theatre

27. Zizzi is an Italian restaurant that I was
taken to on date in January. It stands
out for me because of the memories
of eating there that night with the
person that is now my boyfriend. I
also tried to take my family here
when they visited because the food is
wonderful.
Is for Zizzi

28. By Laura Rae