A boss of a property group which owns Leicester’s St Martins Square has welcomed plans to permanently pedestrianise neighbouring streets.
Adam Markwell, a director at Shearer Property Group, said business had improved since roads in that part of the city were temporarily closed to traffic.
Leicester City Council freed up space for shoppers and seating under the pop-up scheme in August 2020, to help cafes, restaurants and other businesses welcome shoppers back as lockdown restrictions were lifted.
The plans cover St Martins, between Cank Street and the King Richard III Visitor Centre, and the council also wants to put up to £1.3million into repaving the area, new street furniture, automatic bollards, and decorative planting and artwork.
Mr Markwell said: “During the temporary road closure since Covid we have continued to see footfall improving and have had a steady stream of new tenants attracted to St Martins Square as the go-to destination for independent restaurants, shops and customers.
“The changes have added to the overall ambiance of this historic conservation area and provided our tenants on St Martins and Cank Street with valuable space for outdoor seating and alfresco dining, which is proving very popular.”
Rob Reber is operations director at Middletons, which has restaurant in the former NatWest bank building at 2 St Martins.
He said: “The pedestrianisation of St Martins has impacted Middletons in a positive way. It has provided us with a safer and cleaner environment, with a lovely setting for alfresco dining.
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“Many of our guests that have visited since this has been in place did not even realise we were here, they love the environment outside and it has really brought the area back to life.
“With the area clear of large vans and cars this has brought more tourism and more people enjoying the historical architecture, with some great photo opportunities.”
Deputy city mayor Coun Adam Clarke said: “St Martins and the nearby Lanes are home to a great many independent businesses including cafes, bars and restaurants.
“It is vital that we continue to support local businesses like these by investing in high quality, people-friendly streets and spaces.”
Simon Jenner, director of the BID Leicester business body, said: “BID Leicester is unequivocally supportive of the proposed pedestrianisation of St Martins.
“The pop-up changes have helped to make this a green and attractive space which is popular with our businesses and the public.
“We welcome the additional capacity this offers for outdoor customers and increased revenue at a time when food and drink businesses in particular face challenging trading conditions.
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“The fantastic space that has been created has been chosen as the cover image for our new business plan which will be seen by national high street businesses and other BIDs across the country.
“It’s a great scheme that demonstrates Leicester is a city that puts people and the environment first.”
Leicester City Council has now made a formal application for the traffic regulation order needed to make the temporary measures permanent.
Cank Street and Hotel Street will be permanently incorporated into the existing Market Place pedestrian zone, which allows access for deliveries from 5am to 10am, and from 4pm to 6pm, seven days a week.
Temporary loading bays in nearby Peacock Lane and Market Place South will be made permanent and the current reversal of traffic flow around Market Place will also be made permanent.
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