While high streets across the UK continue to battle empty units and boarded-up shopfronts, Leicester is quietly telling a different story.

The city centre is welcoming a fresh crop of shops, restaurants, cafés and independent businesses, with vacancy rates falling and new names arriving across some of Leicester’s busiest streets. From a major fashion brand opening in Highcross to viral street food favourites, indie coffee spots and stylish new eateries, there are plenty of new reasons to spend a day in the city.

Whether you’re on the hunt for your next lunch spot, a wardrobe refresh or simply somewhere new to explore, these are the latest openings helping to give Leicester’s city centre a welcome boost.

Fashion fans, this one’s for you

One of the biggest arrivals is menswear specialist Cavani, which is bringing its blend of traditional British tailoring and Italian-inspired style to a sizeable new unit on High Street.

Meanwhile, Hollister has opened its doors in Highcross with one of its latest-format stores, packed with the laid-back Californian fashion, accessories and fragrances that made the brand a global hit.

Elsewhere, C&S Collection has arrived in the Haymarket, offering affordable and colourful modest womenswear, from everyday staples to elegant dresses and outerwear.

Leicester’s food scene just got even bigger

If there’s one thing Leicester never lacks, it’s great places to eat, and the city’s latest openings are only adding to the choice.

On London Road, Golden Sands is serving up Goan and Portuguese-influenced Indian cuisine, while Mandi & Biryani House is bringing fragrant rice dishes and big flavours to Granby Street.

New to Cheapside is Ghara, a family-run favourite specialising in Indian street food, while Bright Panipuri has expanded from its hugely popular roots near Melton Road and is already attracting plenty of attention for its authentic Indian snacks and viral street food dishes.

Pizza lovers have plenty to get excited about too. Pizza Sofia has taken over the former Maurizio’s site on Belvoir Street with authentic Neapolitan pizzas and wallet-friendly lunch deals, while Hasty Tasty Pizza is serving giant slices and grab-and-go street food in Highcross.

Add in smash burgers from Flame & Ice and freshly grilled chicken from Cluck’d, and Leicester’s ever-expanding food scene shows no sign of slowing down.

Coffee, matcha and sweet treats galore

Leicester’s café culture is thriving too.

Tucked away on Silver Street, Paper Wings Café is the latest addition to the city’s impressive independent coffee scene, focusing on quality brews without the fuss.

Matcha lovers are particularly well served. Mowchi has brought its much-loved drinks, bao buns and bubble tea to London Road, while Ma-Chaii is serving up matcha, deli sandwiches and lassis from its new King Street home.

For something sweeter, there’s Leicester’s first dedicated frozen yoghurt shop Frurt, South American-inspired juice bar Mango Twist, and the increasingly popular Waffle & Bagel in St Martin’s Square.

At a time when stories about struggling high streets dominate headlines, Leicester’s city centre is proving there’s still an appetite for new shops, independent businesses and exciting food openings. With fashion brands, restaurants, cafés and specialist retailers all choosing to invest in the city.

Leicester’s high street feels more vibrant than it has in years and if this latest wave of openings is anything to go by, there’s plenty more still to come.