Filming in Leicester: permits and fees
Leicester City Council covers a diverse city centre, New Walk, and council parks — one of England's most culturally diverse filming environments.
Who issues permits
Leicester’s filming team coordinates permits for council-managed streets and public spaces. The King Richard III Visitor Centre and Cathedral are managed independently.
Process
Apply with at least five working days for standard permits. The compact city centre means road closures need careful management with the highways team — allow three to four weeks.
Fees
Standard East Midlands filming fees apply. Admin charges for street permits.
What’s covered
City centre streets, the Golden Mile area on Belgrave Road, New Walk pedestrianised Regency walkway, council parks including Victoria Park and Abbey Park, Leicester Town Hall and other civic buildings.
Typical restrictions
The Golden Mile involves complex traffic management for any closures. New Walk has vehicle access restrictions. Victoria Park is heavily used for events — check availability for specific dates carefully.
Contact
- Email: filming@leicester.gov.uk
- Web: leicester.gov.uk/filming
Apply on the Leicester City Council website → leicester.gov.uk
FAQ
- Who issues this filming permit?
- Leicester City Council issues filming permits for its area. Applications go through the council's filming / events team — not the local parks department or police, although those may also be consulted.
- How long is the lead time?
- Allow at least 5 working days. Complex applications involving road closures, drone use, or multiple locations need more — plan 2–4 weeks ahead where possible.
- What's the typical cost?
- Leicester City Council quotes filming fees case-by-case based on scale, duration, and public-realm impact. Small documentary crews are often charged an admin fee only; feature-film shoots involving road closures cost meaningfully more.
- What does this permit cover?
- The permit typically covers streets, parks, civic buildings. Private property and other national-body land (e.g. Crown Estate, National Trust, Royal Parks) may need separate consent.
- How do I apply?
- Apply via Leicester City Council's filming page at https://www.leicester.gov.uk/filming. Submit your dates, locations, crew numbers, and equipment list. Expect a risk-assessment request and, for larger shoots, a pre-filming meeting.