Leicester’s historic market is set to move to a temporary new home next year ahead of works to bring it into the 21st Century. A new look fruit-and-veg market is to make its home in Green Dragon Square from next summer.
The temporary relocation would allow the council to execute its plan to modernise the existing site while not interrupting trade for those who have businesses there. The move is expected to last for around a year, if approved by the city’s planning officers reports www.leicestermercury.co.uk
The traditional market would be updated with a number of lockable shipping container-style units and new stalls arranged in the square, which is adjacent to the existing site. These would be split between two covered areas to allow pedestrians to move through the site easily, the council has said.
There would be 10 lockable containers providing room for 20 traders between them.
It would also include a shuttered perimeter that would keep the site secure at night. It will cost around £7.5 million, if approved.
Around 70 new stalls would be created to replace the old wooden stalls, creating "an attractive environment for the fruit, veg and other traders", a city council spokesperson previously said. The new stalls would be set out in an improved layout to create better pedestrian routes through the market.