Leicester Market

The brief / To reverse the decline in market traders and customers by providing a shopping experience that would provide a viable alternative to the shopping centres.

The context / The site is one of Britain's major historic markets, dating back more than 800 years and formed the core around which the City of Leicester grew.

What we did / Greig & Stephenson's work for Leicester markets began with an analysis of the existing market and the health of its trading. The market was found to be in a weak state, with reduced trader numbers discouraging both shoppers and new traders. Greig & Stephenson proposed a restructuring of the market, in the form of a physical realignment of the stalls and wider aisles which will improve access and circulation.

The strategy also includes guidelines on the balance of the different types of traders, as well as on tenancies ranging from permanent traders with fixed, leased, units to adaptable temporary facilities for casual stallholders.

The impact / The coherent design strategy provided better conditions for stallholders and shoppers with improved lighting, clearer signage and redesigned trading units. The coffee shop and cafe has encouraged shoppers to make more of their visit.

The initial work to the outdoor market was completed in June 2002 in time for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Since this first phase completed, Leicester City Council commissioned further studies of how to strengthen the outdoor food market and redevelop the indoor market thus creating a new development site in the city centre.

The second phase proposals which are still being discussed, suggested a new glazed enclosure built adjacent to the cafe Bocca to house the very successful fish market and butchers component of the existing indoor market 'outdoors', which would improve the outdoor market and create a clearer destination to the historic market square.