Market traders in Leicester have put forward their own plan to redevelop the city’s historic market square.
Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby suspended a £7.5 million redevelopment of the site in May because he said the site’s clearance had led to calls for it to remain an open space.
But the traders, who were relocated to a temporary location at Green Dragon Square, feared they would never be able to return to their original location.
Now they have developed a proposal that will allow both the return of the market and the creation of open spaces on the market square.
Plans are still at a very early stage but will see permanent market stalls set up in front of the existing Food Hall next to the historic Corn Exchange building near Cheapside, whilst retaining open space in the rest of the market square for flexible use.
Other options being considered for the site include going ahead with the £7.5 million redevelopment that has already been approved, keeping the market square as open space and making the temporary Green Dragon Square market permanent, or moving the market to a site near Cank Street once the other buildings are cleared.
Sir Peter thanked traders for their proposal, which he described as a “very constructive way forward”.
He called on officials to “work with architects to figure out how this could be achieved.”
Further consultations with traders and the public are expected before a final decision is made.
Market trader Odel Pittard said: “We have drawn up a plan to move the market back to its original location and accommodate us all on Cheapside.”
“That would give Peter Soulsby at least 2,000 square metres. That would give him the space to realise his vision, but the Leicester market would stay where it belongs.”
“That would make us all happy, business would be better and there would be significantly more customers.”
Ms Pittard said the temporary market at Green Dragon Square was not suitable as a permanent location.
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