Traders 'disappointed' at food-focused market plan

"It won't feel like a market."

That was the view of traders in Leicester as it was revealed on Thursday that plans are being drawn up for a smaller food-focused offering for the city.

Leicester Market's redevelopment was halted in 2024 after the 1990s-built roof was pulled down and the site cleared to allow the city council to draw up a new scheme for an open events space and smaller area of covered stalls.

Following a consultation on the changed plan, the council is now pressing forward with planning applications for its new vision.

But traders at the temporary market in nearby Green Dragon Square told the BBC excluding dry goods "will take the market out of it".

Simon Reid, whose family has sold fruit and vegetables at Leicester Market for four generations, said: "It'll be nice for the fruit boys, but it won't feel like a market again.

"You want to get a bit of everything.

"The open space is a great idea, don't get me wrong, but at the end of the day there's a lot of room there - there's enough room to create both."

The latest proposals will see a smaller 48-stall market built adjacent to the existing food hall.

The council said it 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.

Fruiterer Odell Pittard said she "felt disappointed" for the traders who sell dry goods, although traders were told support will be given for them to set up shop outside the market.

She added: "The material man, the shoe man, they've not been given the same opportunity.

"It's upsetting that we're not all staying as a market."

Nitin Gohil, from Leicester Market Shoe Repairs, said he does not know where his business will end up now, adding: "We're still in limbo, I do like it as it is in market surroundings with other traders - I think it brings more people in and is good for all businesses.

"We need to be still together and trade as one rather than spread out and somewhere completely different."

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

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.

Vicky Morris, of Vicky's Fresh Fruits, also hopes to have a place in the new set-up, and is relieved at the prospect of the plans moving forward.

She said: "This place where we are at the moment, it's okay, but we have no passing trade and we deserve to be back where we've been known for many, many years.

"It is a struggle, especially when it's raining.

"But you know what, we've been hyped up before, so I think I'll keep my hype for when it really happens."

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