Petition launched to return Leicester Square to historic home after refurbishment plans scrapped

Market traders are calling on Leicester City Council to return the market to its historic home. They have set up a petition denouncing the plan to move the stalls away from the Market Place.

The city’s mayor Sir Peter Soulsby announced last week that he would pause the planned regeneration of the market to consider alternative uses for the site. He said the removal of the market’s roof revealed the “huge potential” of the space previously occupied by stalls and opened up views of the heritage buildings that line the square, adding that the revelation raised questions about whether installing a new covered market in the square “would the right thing to do.”

Instead, traders could be relocated to the planned ‘Cank Street Link’. The link plans will see a number of buildings between Green Dragon Square and Cank Street demolished and the car park on the Cank Street side used for specialist trade. Previous proposals to relocate the market there suggest that the entrance to the Green Dragon Market could be widened from original plans and covered over to create a new space for displaced traders.

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However, those working in the market told LeicestershireLive they felt betrayed by what they called “broken promises”. Now they are preparing to fight the new proposals.

The change.org petition set up on Saturday, May 25 had been signed 583 times in three days at the time of publication. It reads: “Leicester Square, a vital and historic part of our community, has been promised by the council to be returned to its original location.

“Now the council is planning to move it elsewhere again, which is totally unacceptable to both traders and customers. This market has been a cornerstone of local commerce for decades, offering fresh produce and goods at affordable prices.

“Relocating it would disrupt business and inconvenience the countless residents who rely on its accessibility. Sign this petition to urge the council to honor its promise and keep Leicester Square in its original location.”

Pav Singh, who owns the Smokin Shack in the market, set up the petition. He told LeicestershireLive on behalf of the traders: “We moved here on the promise of Peter Soulsby that we would return to our original location which would be much better, more attractive and more family friendly.

“The market has been a part of everyone’s life, be it a trader, customer or simply a member of the public passing through. To be told now that the Square will not return to its original location is very disappointing, disheartening and extremely misleading. .”

Residents also voiced their support for the market trader’s efforts. One person who signed the petition said: “(The market) should be where it came from. It is the heart of Leicester.”

Another added: “Keep the tradition going and support small businesses which are the lifeblood of any economy.”

Sir Peter said last week: “I met with representatives of market traders to explain my change of mind and talk about ideas. While 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 even better.

“The proposed site for Leicester Square is a new opening which would link Market Place to Cank Street and the shops and bars of St Martin’s Square. So the crowds would be high – and the market’s proximity to the popular Food Hall would create a strong food-themed destination.

“With Marks and Spencer announcing the closure of its Gallowtree Gate store and town centers everywhere becoming less dependent on traditional retail, it is clear that Leicester city center must continue to evolve to ensure it continues to be a that people want to visit – and I want to invest in.”

He added: “This new proposal would give our market traders the clean, contemporary and attractive market area they need – and give the town a stunning open space that could become home to the Christmas ice rink, summer beach, performances live, outdoor cinema, food and drink festivals, national holidays and even open bus parades for our brilliant sports clubs.

“Of course there would be work to modernize and refurbish the beautiful old buildings that surround the space and to attract the cafes and bars that would help liven it up, but our intention would be to seek funding to support the conservation work. and work with development partners to bring new life to the area.

“I am now convinced that the right thing to do is to stop work on the current scheme to give people a chance to have their say and I look forward to hearing those views.” Anyone wishing to comment on the plan can email Sir Peter at [email protected]