A local group claims they weren’t consulted on the plans
18:37, 19 Mar 2026
The Stable Block, Braunstone Park(Image: Braunstone History Group)
A Leicester history group running a museum in a former stable block has said it wasn’t consulted on council plans to rent the building to a hotel.
Leicester City Council announced it was leasing out the stable block and the walled garden in Braunstone Park on its website last month.
The £375,000 deal, signed off by City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, allows The Parmar Collection Ltd to run the site until 2140.
The company, which did not compete on the open market as a “special purchaser”, renovated and ran the Winstanley House hotel next door, and plans to use this space as extra accommodation during weddings and events.
Under the agreement, the buyer will sub-lease some of the Grade-II listed property to Braunstone History Group (BHG) for a peppercorn rent. Documents say the buyer is “very supportive” of BHG remaining and operating in the building.
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
However, BHG says the council did not consult them on the plans first, and fears that their services could be restricted.
Geraldine Syrett, BHG secretary and vice chairperson, said: “The owner of the hotel would like to use the top floor of the stable building for accommodation which means we will have to reduce the space we use to the ground floor.
“To be fair, the owners have done a wonderful job at restoring the hotel. But part of our problem as a history group is that if we have to reduce to using the room downstairs we will no longer be able to hold school trips.
“I understand the council is short of cash to restore the stable block – it does need a lot of work doing – but it is the way it was done and the fact that they didn’t talk to us about it.
“We were absolutely horrified that we weren’t consulted about the notice. We didn’t have the chance to discuss it.”
(Image: Braunstone History Group)
The money made will go towards the city council’s goal to add £60m to its capital budget in property sales and means it will no longer have to fork out for maintenance costs.
A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: “This new agreement will see the Grade II-listed stable block at Braunstone Park leased to the owners of the neighbouring Winstanley House on a long lease, whilst retaining the important Winstanley Collection in the stable block and access to the walled gardens.
“Free public access to the walled garden and war memorial will remain unchanged. There will be no restrictions to the current opening times of the garden, and access will be maintained for heritage days of national and local importance, including Memorial Day and Remembrance Day.
“The Braunstone History Group have been consulted and will remain in the building and continue to operate their museum, preserving the history of Braunstone at this location along with the Winstanley Collection. Winstanley House are very supportive of the group, and we are happy to arrange further meetings between all parties.
“Restoration of this historic site will benefit national and international visitors to the park and Winstanley House, as a local business, helping to attract further inward investment and employment opportunities.”