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'Overwhelming' support for market plan says mayor

Leicester City Council An aerial photograph of the fenced off open space in the centre of the city where Leicester Market once stoodLeicester City Council
The site was cleared for a new marketplace - but then work paused for a rethink this year

A consultation over a changed plan for the future of Leicester Market has received "overwhelming" backing, mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has said.

A planned £7.5m revamp of the 700-year-old marketplace was paused in May after the old market was demolished.

A consultation was then launched on a plan for a smaller 48-stall market next to the existing foodhall as well as a new "event space".

The results of the consultation will be released in the new year - but the city mayor said a "first look" at the comments suggested there was "overwhelming support for the proposals".

Sir Peter told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The general view was that the proposals are ones that ensure the continued, sustainable use of the market, but at the same time as making the best use of that wonderful flexible space."

Leicester City Council An artist impression of the new look market proposal, with a small market on part of the site and some sort of event taking place nearbyLeicester City Council
Plans were changed to allow an events space on part of the new open space

Automated shutters would be used to secure the market when it was not in use, according to the council, and it could be fully dismantled if the entire site is used for an event.

Soulsby said in October the new market would be "food-focused" with stalls prioritised for traders selling fruit, vegetables and high-quality food from around the world.

He said while a proposal to "reconsider the potential" for the marketplace as a space to "become the focal point for festivals, events and celebrations" was welcomed, the traders themselves did not wish to relocate.

He said: "It was clear that the market traders themselves felt strongly about returning to the site where they'd stood for generations."

Leicester City Council A computer generated view of the new market plan, with breads and fruits on sale under canopiesLeicester City Council
The new market would be "food-focussed" said Sir Peter Soulsby

Council officers began analysing the responses to the consultation after the consultation ended on 9 December.

Sir Peter said he "hopes" a decision on whether the latest plan will be taken forwards would be issued in January.

If the latest scheme is the preferred option, a planning application for the city centre site would need to be submitted.

Sir Peter said he expects that application to go in "early in the New Year".

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