Leicester Square: Have your say

THE DEMOLITION of the old roof and heavy wooden stalls that housed Leicester Square has revealed the sheer size of the city’s historic market square – and provided a reminder of what the space looked like for most of its past.

Archive photos from the early 1920s^th century shows the square as a vast open space where people met friends or gathered for political rallies and national celebrations. Market stalls would be packed away when not in use, leaving the space free for festivals and other special events.

This view of the square, and the attractive heritage buildings that surround it, was reopened this year when the demolition team moved off the site.

On May 22, the city’s mayor announced that work to install new permanent market stalls, lockable units and a new roof on the site would be halted. He wanted to know what the people of Leicester thought of the space now that the land had been cleared.

People have up to Friday June 14 to comment on whether plans to rebuild the market infrastructure on the site should go ahead – or whether keeping the market as a flexible event space and creating a new home for the market nearby would be a better option to ensure the long-term vitality of the center the city.

The existing plan

Planning permission for a scheme on the site which would create a new cafe, 16 lockable units and 84 market stalls under a bespoke roof was granted in August 2023. Market traders have moved into their temporary home from Piata Dragonului Verde in November 2023, with the demolition team started cleaning the site in March this year. A series of on-site investigations was to be followed by a program of works which would have lasted around 10 months.

Work on site has now ceased.

Alternative proposal

The city council is determined that the market, which has been part of Leicester for more than 700 years, will continue to thrive in the heart of the city center for many years to come.

If the current plans were reconsidered and the market kept free, a dedicated space for Leicester Market could be created in a purpose-built location next to the Food Hall.

Under these alternative proposals, the city council would demolish the unattractive 1970s buildings at 12-20 Market Place to create a wide opening to Cank Street and the shops and bars of St Martin’s Square.

The space created would house a mix of market stalls and container units in an attractive, modern retail environment, protected from the elements by a stylish roof – and benefiting from increased foot traffic due to its proximity to the Food Hall and the popular St Martin’s store . area.

As for the square itself, significant investment would be needed to modernize and renovate the beautiful old buildings that surround the space and to attract the cafes and bars that would help liven it up. The city council’s intention would be to seek funding to support conservation work and work with development partners to bring new life to the area.

The square has the potential to become the significant event space that the city center currently lacks. It could become home to the Christmas ice rink, summer beach, live performances, outdoor cinema, food and drink festivals, national holidays and even open bus parades for the city’s sports clubs.

What do you think?

Your comments on ideas for Leicester Square and the square should be emailed to [email protected] by Friday June 14.

Image captions:

• These very early concept drawings show how the market could be accommodated in the new Market Place-Cank Street link if the current scheme were to be revised. Please note that these are rough drafts for illustrative purposes only.
• Historic images of Leicester Square in the early 1920s^th century are provided courtesy of The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland.