A Leicester couple have witnessed dramatic changes in their neighbourhood over the past four decades — and now stand as the last white residents on their street.
Cathy Gyles, 64, and her husband Julian Serra, 60, have lived in their modest Victorian terraced home in the Highfields suburb for more than 40 years. Both dedicated NHS workers, they have cared for a diverse community throughout their lives, reports the MailOnline.
The 2021 census revealed Leicester is among the first UK cities where white people are no longer the majority. Instead, 59 per cent of its population now come from minority ethnic backgrounds. But in Cathy and Julian’s immediate neighbourhood, the shift is even more pronounced.
Data shows only three white Britons live in the area — making up just 0.2 per cent of the local population of 1,865. They are outnumbered 600 to one by other ethnic groups, making Cathy and Julian the last white couple on their street.
Cathy, a mental health professional, told MailOnline: “When we moved here, my son was three years old and my daughter was a baby. Now they’re 46 and 43.”
Since then, the area’s demographics have shifted considerably, with many black residents moving on and the neighbourhood now predominantly home to Asian communities.
Latest census figures reveal 1,626 residents identify as Indian, compared with 61 from a Pakistani background and 48 Bangladeshi. There are also 18 people from African backgrounds, 12 Caribbean, and four Chinese residents.
Despite these changes, Cathy and Julian say they remain comfortable in their surroundings and have no plans to follow many neighbours who have left Highfields.
Speaking about the evolving community, Cathy said: “I don’t have any problem with that whatsoever. We have a lot of friends here and everyone treats us with respect and kindness.
“If Julian’s away for a weekend, the neighbours will pop by and check I’m OK and ask if I need anything.
“They always bring over food. At Christmas they give us gifts and Christmas cards. We return the favour when it’s Eid.
“My son’s friends are Muslim, Hindu and his best mate is mixed race.
“He lives in the countryside outside Leicester. So does my daughter. But this is their home.
“It’s never come into my mind to move – why would it? We all look out for each other here.”
Julian, an NHS clinical trainer, added: “We are close with our neighbours but people here don’t live in each other’s pockets.
“We accept people for who they are and that I think is the mark of a positive multicultural area.
“I think the world would be a better place if we all looked at each other just as human beings rather than always categorising people into what religion they are. It’s religion which has caused much of the bloodshed in the past.”