A fresh bid to tear down a city centre shopping arcade and build new flats in its place has been lodged. The original plan for the Odeon Arcade was rejected in September 2023.
Leicester City Council planning officers said at the time that a “number of significant and fundamental issues” with the proposals rendered the scheme “unacceptable”. These included unacceptable living conditions for future tenants, and a negative visual impact on both the Market Place and Cank Street, between which it sits.
Now, applicant Mr Almudaihesh has submitted a new attempt to gain approval for the project which, if given the go ahead, would see fewer flats built there. The proposals would still see the 1960s building mostly demolished, with just the 1920s Art Deco façade on the Market Place side retained.
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Mr Almudaihesh said the current four- to five-storey building is run down and contributes “negatively” to the wider area in terms of its appearance. He also said the shops inside are “often vacant”.
In its place, 39 new homes and 13 new shops would be created, compared to the 53 apartments and 10 stores previously proposed. The building would be six storeys in height.
The building’s design would be modelled on London’s Piccadilly and Burlington Arcades which feature large glazed shop fronts with painted timber or metalwork details, planning documents state. Higher shop ceilings would also add to “the sense of opulence and excitement of the new arcade”, they added.
The pedestrian route through the arcade would also be “straightened and widened”. This would help “avoid congestion and improve pedestrian traffic flows”.
A mix of one-, two- and three-bed homes are proposed. A central courtyard would also be created at the first floor level for residents. Additional outdoor communal space would be offered at floors four and five.
No car parking is proposed for the scheme. However, 65 cycle spaces would be available for residents, with an additional two for shop staff.
The previous bid to redevelop the arcade was met with concerns from both members of the public and those who own shops there. Planning officers summarising the objections they received from residents said it was “clear” they considered the “existing businesses make an important and often unique contribution to their lives and the city”.
Roy Bhalla, owner of Roy’s Material World in the Odeon Arcade
(Image: LeicestershireLive)
Speaking to LeicestershireLive at the time of the first application, Roy Bhalla, owner of Roy’s Material World, said the plan came as a “bit of a shock”. He added: “Forty years this business has been here. It’s just digesting the news at the moment, it still needs to sink in. I don’t know what to do, it’s very worrying.”
“The city centre is already on its knees,” he continued. “Losing all these shops and having all this disruption, it’s not going to happen overnight, it’s worrying.”
No dates have yet been given by Leicester City Council for the public consultation on the plan. A target decision date has been set for Sunday, March 23.