The City Rooms, Leicester

Nestled in the heart of Leicester, The City Rooms is a grand Georgian building with a history as impressive as its architecture. Originally envisioned as the city’s first hotel, this Grade I-listed landmark was designed in the Greek Revival style by architect John Johnson and completed in 1800. However, financial difficulties prevented its intended use, and the property was taken over by a consortium led by the Duke of Rutland, who ensured its completion. It officially opened as the Leicester Assembly Rooms in September 1800, just in time to welcome visitors attending the Leicester Races at Victoria Park.

The building’s symmetrical façade, with its Tuscan-order columns and large arched windows, reflects the elegance of the era. Notably, the first-floor ballroom-spanning 75 feet (23 meters) in length-is adorned with allegorical paintings by Ramsay Richard Reinagle and statues inspired by John Bacon, making it a striking example of period interior design.

By 1817, the structure found a new purpose as judges’ lodgings, undergoing a two-year transformation under local builder Joshua Harrison. Later, it served as the County Rooms, functioning as the meeting place for Leicestershire County Council after the Local Government Act of 1888. Over the years, it accommodated a variety of uses, including acting as a training facility for the B Squadron of the Leicestershire Yeomanry.

Following the completion of County Hall in 1967, the building’s civic role diminished. Leicester City Council took ownership in 1986, renaming it The City Rooms. In 1990, a statue of a Seamstress, sculpted by James Butler, was installed outside to commemorate Leicester’s rich hosiery industry heritage.

After changing hands once more, a major restoration in 2005 transformed the historic site into an opulent venue featuring a ballroom, bar, meeting rooms, and four luxurious bedrooms-a nod to its original hotel aspirations. The Prince of Wales himself attended a reception here in 2020, marking yet another chapter in the building’s long and prestigious history. Today, The City Rooms stands as a sought-after venue for weddings, events, and celebrations, seamlessly blending history with modern elegance.