Leicester’s town centre continues to be a thriving hub for employment opportunities, offering diverse career paths across multiple sectors. Based on current UK labour market data and local employment trends, certain roles are experiencing particularly strong demand as we move through 2026.
This list evaluates Leicester town centre jobs based on employment demand, salary potential, career progression opportunities, and job security. Whether you’re seeking entry-level positions, career changes, or advancement opportunities, these roles represent the strongest employment prospects in Leicester’s central business district.
The rankings consider factors including vacancy levels, employer demand, skills shortages, and long-term sector growth, drawing from official UK labour market statistics and local employment data from the Leicester Employment Hub.
1. Retail Sales Assistant
Why it ranks first: Retail remains Leicester town centre’s largest employment sector, with consistent demand across major retailers and independent shops. The sector shows resilience despite economic pressures, with Indeed’s 2026 UK Jobs & Hiring Trends Report noting continued hiring in retail despite some headwinds.
Typical UK salary range: £12.48-£14.00 per hour (£22,000-£25,000 annually for full-time roles)
Required skills: Customer service, cash handling, product knowledge, communication skills, flexibility with shift patterns
Who this role suits: Entry-level job seekers, students seeking part-time work, career changers wanting flexible hours, and those building customer service experience
Entry considerations: Many positions offer part-time and flexible scheduling. Experience isn’t always required, with on-the-job training provided. Weekend and evening availability often preferred.
2. Customer Service Representative
Why it’s in high demand: Leicester’s diverse business landscape creates strong demand for customer service roles across sectors. The city’s employment data shows customer service as a consistently growing field, particularly in administrative and support services.
Typical UK salary range: £18,000-£24,000 annually
Required skills: Communication, problem-solving, computer literacy, patience, multi-tasking abilities
Who this role suits: Graduates seeking entry-level positions, experienced workers transitioning sectors, those with strong interpersonal skills
Entry considerations: Often provides clear progression paths to supervisory roles. Many positions offer hybrid working arrangements post-training period.
3. Healthcare Support Worker
Why it ranks highly: Healthcare represents Leicester’s largest employment sector at 18.2% of local jobs, according to Leicester’s economic data. The NHS and private healthcare providers maintain consistent recruitment needs.
Typical UK salary range: £19,000-£23,000 annually
Required skills: Compassion, physical stamina, basic healthcare knowledge, communication skills, DBS clearance
Who this role suits: Those seeking meaningful work, career changers interested in healthcare, individuals wanting stable employment with progression opportunities
Entry considerations: Often requires DBS checks and basic training. Provides pathways to qualified nursing or specialist healthcare roles.
4. Administrative Assistant
Why it’s consistently in demand: Leicester’s diverse business environment creates ongoing demand for administrative support. The role appears across sectors from legal firms to healthcare providers in the town centre.
Typical UK salary range: £18,000-£22,000 annually
Required skills: Microsoft Office proficiency, organisation, attention to detail, telephone manner, time management
Who this role suits: Recent graduates, experienced administrators seeking new challenges, those wanting office-based work with regular hours
Entry considerations: Often serves as entry point to specific industries. Many roles offer training in sector-specific systems and procedures.
5. Food Service Worker
Why it’s growing: Leicester town centre’s hospitality sector continues expanding, with cafes, restaurants, and food outlets maintaining steady recruitment. The sector offers flexible working arrangements attractive to many job seekers.
Typical UK salary range: £12.21-£16.00 per hour
Required skills: Food hygiene awareness, customer service, ability to work under pressure, teamwork, physical stamina
Who this role suits: Students, part-time workers, those seeking flexible schedules, individuals building hospitality experience
Entry considerations: Often provides food hygiene training. Weekend and evening work typically required. Can lead to supervisory or management positions.
6. Security Officer
Why it’s in demand: Leicester town centre’s retail and business districts require consistent security coverage. The role offers stable employment with clear progression opportunities.
Typical UK salary range: £19,000-£25,000 annually
Required skills: SIA licence, vigilance, communication skills, conflict resolution, physical fitness
Who this role suits: Those seeking stable shift work, individuals with military or police background, career changers wanting security-focused roles
Entry considerations: Requires SIA licence (can often be obtained through employer). Shift work including nights and weekends typical.
7. Teaching Assistant
Why it ranks well: Leicester’s education sector employs 11.4% of the local workforce. Schools and educational institutions in and around the town centre maintain regular recruitment for support staff.
Typical UK salary range: £16,000-£20,000 annually (often term-time only)
Required skills: Patience, communication, basic numeracy and literacy, safeguarding awareness, DBS clearance
Who this role suits: Those passionate about education, parents seeking term-time work, graduates considering teaching careers
Entry considerations: Requires enhanced DBS check. Often term-time only contracts. Can provide pathway to qualified teaching roles.
8. Warehouse Operative
Why it’s consistently available: Leicester’s strategic location makes it a logistics hub, with distribution centres serving the town centre and wider region. The sector shows consistent demand for workers.
Typical UK salary range: £19,000-£24,000 annually
Required skills: Physical fitness, attention to detail, basic computer skills, forklift licence (advantageous), teamwork
Who this role suits: Those preferring physical work, individuals seeking stable employment, workers wanting clear shift patterns
Entry considerations: Often provides forklift training. Shift work common including early starts. Overtime opportunities frequently available.
9. Social Care Worker
Why it’s growing: Leicester’s social care sector continues expanding, driven by demographic changes and increased service demand. The role offers meaningful work with career progression opportunities.
Typical UK salary range: £18,000-£24,000 annually
Required skills: Empathy, communication, resilience, basic care knowledge, DBS clearance, driving licence often required
Who this role suits: Those seeking purposeful work, career changers interested in social impact, individuals with caring experience
Entry considerations: Requires DBS clearance and often specific training. Can be emotionally demanding but highly rewarding. Progression to senior care roles possible.
10. Sales Executive
Why it maintains demand: Leicester’s business community creates ongoing demand for sales professionals across sectors from retail to professional services.
Typical UK salary range: £20,000-£35,000 annually (often including commission)
Required skills: Communication, persuasion, resilience, target-driven mindset, relationship building
Who this role suits: Ambitious individuals, those with natural communication skills, people motivated by targets and commission structures
Entry considerations: Often commission-based earnings potential. May require travel within Leicester area. Strong progression opportunities to management roles.
11. Cleaner/Cleaning Operative
Why it’s consistently available: Leicester town centre’s offices, retail spaces, and public buildings require regular cleaning services. The sector offers flexible working arrangements and steady demand.
Typical UK salary range: £12.65-£15.00 per hour
Required skills: Reliability, attention to detail, physical stamina, time management, basic health and safety awareness
Who this role suits: Those seeking flexible hours, individuals wanting part-time work, workers preferring independent tasks
Entry considerations: Often early morning or evening shifts. Part-time and full-time options available. Minimal experience required with on-the-job training.
12. Apprentice (Various Sectors)
Why it’s increasingly important: Leicester employers across sectors offer apprenticeships, providing earn-while-you-learn opportunities. The Leicester Employment Hub actively promotes apprenticeship opportunities.
Typical UK salary range: £6.40-£12.21 per hour (apprentice minimum wage to full rate)
Required skills: Willingness to learn, basic numeracy and literacy, commitment to training, sector-specific aptitude
Who this role suits: School leavers, career changers, those seeking qualifications while working, individuals wanting structured career development
Entry considerations: Combines work with study commitments. Duration typically 1-4 years depending on level. Provides recognised qualifications and often leads to permanent employment.
Conclusion
Leicester town centre’s employment landscape reflects broader UK labour market trends while maintaining its own distinct characteristics. The dominance of retail, healthcare, and service sectors creates diverse opportunities for job seekers at various career stages.
These rankings highlight roles with strong employment prospects, but success depends on matching your skills and career goals with market demand. The town centre’s mix of established sectors and emerging opportunities provides pathways for both immediate employment and long-term career development.
Understanding Leicester’s employment patterns—from the significant healthcare sector to the resilient retail environment—helps job seekers position themselves strategically in this competitive but opportunity-rich market.
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