Leicester Square’s major refurbishment has been halted for review after demolition

Plans for a major £7.5m refurbishment of Leicester Square are to be revised following demolition work and site clearance.

However, Leicester City Council has now announced a radical rethink of the project.

It is proposed that the area can be used as a space to host events.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he had asked council planners to come up with an alternative vision for the square after the old structure was demolished.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who watched the old market roof come down and was stunned by what was revealed,” he said.

“As the demolition team cleared the site, I was impressed by the size of the space and the quality of the surrounding architecture.

“It made me wonder if I missed an opportunity to do something really special.”

Sir Peter added: “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do something quite bold – and that is to rethink our plans and create the impressive and flexible space for large-scale public events that we currently do not have we have in Leicester. downtown.”

Some traders at the market told the BBC they were angry at the sudden change of plans.

They said they were promised a renovated market on the site of the old one, which is due to open in late 2025.

They are currently trading from a temporary site in nearby Green Dragon Market as work continues.

The council is now proposing to relocate the traders to a purpose-built site in Cank Street, next to the Food Hall.

Fruit and vegetable trader Vicki Morris said she did not think the proposed site in Cank Street was suitable.

She said: “It’s too closed. It’s not big enough.

“We should go back to where we love each other.”

Nitin Gohil, who runs a key-cutting stall, wanted “more concrete plans”.

“We are the heart of the market and we need to know where we stand and what to tell our customers,” he added.

Fellow trader Odel Pittard described the proposals as “absolutely ridiculous and impractical”.

Sir Peter, who presented his plans to stallholders on Wednesday, added: “Whilst I fully appreciate their concerns about the disruption of work on site, I hope I have been able to convey that I believe we have an opportunity to make a good scheme and better. .”

He said the new proposals would see the disused council-owned buildings at 12-20 Market Place demolished to clear a passage to Cank Street.

Sir Peter said the new plan would create a “sparkling” open space that could host the town’s Christmas ice rink, summer beach, live performances, outdoor cinema, food and drink festivals and other celebrations.

He said he would listen to public opinion on his new plans before making a final decision.

Additional reporting by Hannah Richardson, local democracy reporter.