A proposal to return Leicester Market to its original site and create a major new event space around it is moving to the next stage.
The development would create a food-focused market next to the existing Food Hall, housing 48 stalls that could be fully dismantled if necessary, together with a new flexible event space that would become a focal point for outdoor events in the city.
“This proposal would give Leicester Market a fresh start and a sustainable future and would give the traders what they wanted: a return to the site where they’ve stood for generations,” said the City Mayor.
“But it’s also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reopen the market place as a wonderful flexible space – as it was for hundreds of years.”
“The scale of the space, and the quality of the surrounding architecture, make it a very special site and my hope is that our investment in this scheme will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area.”
The proposal was welcomed by most of those who took part in a formal consultation last year. 1,667 people gave their views in the online consultation, which was launched in October 2024 and ran for six weeks. Of those responding, 60% (1,008) supported the proposal, 38% (639) did not, and 20 respondents (1%) did not express a preference.
Final designs, new planning applications and detailed costs are being drawn up, with a view to getting this important site redeveloped and open for business as quickly as possible. Subject to planning permission being granted and a formal decision to proceed, works could start on site in Summer 2025 with the new market building opening by the end of 2026.
In the meantime, Leicester Market will continue to operate from its temporary home nearby on Green Dragon Square.