Plans to be submitted for new look Leicester Market

Planning applications for a new look Leicester Market are set to be drawn up.

Last year work on a planned £7.5m revamp of the 700-year-old marketplace was paused following demolition work at the site.

The council said at the time the area opened up by the work could instead be used as a space for events.

Following a consultation on revised plans to return the market to its original location as well as create a new "event space", the council is now set to push forward with two formal planning applications.

Final designs, planning applications and detailed costs will be drawn up and submitted.

An application for the new square is due to be submitted in March with planning for the new building expected by July.

Market traders were told on Thursday.

The authority said 60% - or 1,008 of the 1,667 people who responded to the consultation - backed the proposals.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he was "grateful" to everyone who took part and the results "showed there's support".

"My focus now is on progressing this scheme, ahead of a formal decision," he said.

"Our project team will now be developing the designs and preparing the planning applications, with a view to getting this important site redeveloped and open for business as quickly as possible."

The latest proposals will see a smaller 48-stall market built adjacent to the existing food hall, which would be prioritised for traders selling "fruit, vegetables and high-quality food from around the world".

Automated shutters would secure the market when it was not in use, said the council, while it could be fully dismantled if the entire site was being used for an event.

Subject to planning permission, the council said work could start on site this summer with traders operating from the new market building by the end of 2026.

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