Agenda item

The Director of Tourism, Culture, and Inward Investment submits a presentation outlining the proposals for the redevelopment of Leicester Outdoor Market.

The Chair noted that this presentation had been brought to the Committee at the request of Members when dealing with the call-in for the purchase of 22 Market Place. Members had wanted to see the wider vision for the market area.

The Director of Tourism, Culture, and Inward Investment submitted a presentation outlining the proposals for the redevelopment of Leicester Outdoor Market.

The City Mayor introduced the item, explaining the long history of the market and noting that it was now in a poor state and suffered from issues of anti-social behaviour and therefore was in need of redevelopment.

The Director of Tourism, Culture, and Inward Investment presented the item, it was noted that:

·         There had been numerous projects to improve the wider market in the last decade, including the construction of the food hall and the creation of Green Dragon Square. The food hall was an award winning building which provided a quality offer, however the outdoor market now looked poor in comparison.

·         Changing shopping trends were causing issues for markets across the country. However, other markets across the country were receiving significant investment, intending to reverse the decline in those markets.

·         Following Covid a number of traders had left the market and there had been a struggle to get them back.

·         It was hoped that the redevelopment could design out anti-social behaviour and create an environment to attract new traders and customers.

·         The proposed redevelopment was divided into 3 zones.

·         In Zone A the existing roof would be removed and the focus would be on improving the view of the market from Gallowtree Gate. This would also create a space for temporary and specialist markets.

·         The Café would be relocated to a new position by Dolphin Square and include outside seating to create an early evening offer.

·         Zone B would be the core market space, containing the fruit and veg offer. A new roof with solar panels would be built with better natural lighting. All pillars would be removed from the space. A secure perimeter would design out after-hours anti-social behaviour.

·         Zone C would create new, flexible free-standing units and create views of the market to Cheapside. Waste management facilities would be relocated and enclosed so that they were no longer visible in this area.

·         To enable the redevelopment process, a temporary market would be setup at Green Dragon Square.

·         Existing traders were largely positive about the proposed redevelopment. There were concerns about the temporary market and the rent for the new units.

·         The next steps included securing Planning permission for the temporary market and issuing a decision report to draw down capital funds.

·         The aim was to have the temporary market operational by May 2023 and have the new scheme fully operational by the end of summer 2024.

·         The total capital cost was estimated at £8.5m, though some elements including material choices were still being discussed.

·         Revenue forecasts assumed that pre-Covid occupancy levels would return.

In response to questions from Members and youth representatives it was noted that:

·         The efforts to design-out ASB included lighting the new building in such a way that it was attractive even at night.

·         It was hoped that specialist markets could be used to attract a wider range of customers as they had been previously used to specifically target younger people. It was also hoped that live music could be introduced at times to help create an attractive atmosphere.

·         Occupancy levels were currently 30-40%, pre-Covid they were 65-70%, it was hoped that pre-covid levels of occupancy could be achieved.

·         The temporary market would be large enough to incorporate all the current traders.

·         The City Council took extensive work to help those with street lifestyles, working with voluntary organisations. This included those who stayed around the market area.

·         There was optimism that this work would bring the budget into surplus.

·         The primary focus of this redevelopment was to improve the offer for the city centre.

·         There was an intention to bring in craft stalls and also include local produce.

·         It was hoped that city residents would serve as traders but the main priority was delivering a quality product.

·         There were plans to install Heritage Panels at the redeveloped site exploring the history of the market.

Councillor Porter raised concerns about spending £8m on this scheme, noting that previous efforts to improve the market area had failed and suggesting this was another piecemeal effort. He noted that market traders had suggested to him that allowing 30 minutes free parking would improve usage of the market, lowering the stall rents was also suggested to lower the barrier for traders. He expressed doubts that the redevelopment would bring affluent customers to the market and asked to see the evidence for this from the consultation. He asked why the wider vision for the area including the demolition of 22 Market Place was not included in the presentation. He also suggested that there needed to be a wider strategy to anti-social behaviour and street lifestyles in the area other than designing out the issue.

The City Mayor responded to Councillor Porter’s points, noting the success of the Food Hall which had a universal appeal. He argued that combining the separate efforts to improve the area would have a transformational effect on the area. He also noted that the upcoming Hop! bus service would include a stop yards away from the market, improving access to the market.

Other Members of the Commission were supportive of the proposals and looked forward to seeing them implemented.

The Chair suggested that a report on anti-social behaviour and street lifestyles in the market area could be brought to a Scrutiny Commission.

The Chair expressed support for the proposals and stated that he looked forward to seeing the completed development. All Members agreed with this except for Councillor Porter who put on record his opposition to the proposals.

AGREED:

1.    That the Committee notes the update.

2.    That the Committee recommends that a report on anti-social behaviour and street lifestyles in the market area be brought to a relevant Scrutiny Commission.