The Leicester Union Workhouse, designed by William Flint, was at the top of Sparkenhoe Street, on the site of the present Moat Community Centre.  . Some inmates of the Leicester Union Workhouse, 1890 Photo source: Leicester & Rutland Record Office   It was a lofty and spacious building with stone dressing in the Gothic style and space for sixty inmates. This consisted mainly of stone-breaking, very hard work, especially for

Leicester Union Workhouse

Photo source: Leicester & Rutland Record Office

those men who had not been used to such strenuous labour. They had to do it, if they didn't they would get no financial help.

In 1848 there was a slump in the town, which caused as many as one third of Leicester's population of of 68,000 to be unemployed. This caused problems at the workhouse. As there were many more people seeking help than there were places available so a system of 'out-work' was established.