Procon Leicestershire Leicester Mercury People's Choice award
For this year’s Procon Leicestershire Leicester Mercury People’s Choice award we are asking readers to vote for their regeneration champion of the decade. Please choose one of the six finalists - Adrian Weston, David Wilson, De Montfort University, Hammerson, Heart of the National Forest Foundation and Ross Willmott.
Read about the six finalists and then cast your vote using the poll below.
The winner will be announced on November 11.
Procon Leicestershire Leicester Mercury People’s ChoiceMarket Research
Adrian Weston
Spearheaded the £1.25 million revamp of Leicester’s New Walk, which saw the historic walkway transformed from a neglected eyesore back to its Victorian splendour. He also led the creation of a series of statues celebrating the city’s industrial past.
David Wilson
Oversaw the creation of the huge Meridian Business Park industrial estate off junction 22 of the M1, as well as many other major developments. The David Wilson Foundation has donated many millions of pounds to regeneration projects, including a new library at the University of Leicester.
De Montfort University
Is undergoing a £150 million revamp, including the new £35 million business and law centre, the Hugh Aston Building, close to the historic Magazine building. Business and political leaders say the revival of the West End of Leicester is mostly the result of the university’s growth.
Hammerson
The developer invested £350 million on doubling the size of The Shires shopping centre in Leicester, transforming it into Highcross Leicester, which boasts 120 stores and covers one million sq ft. The expansion created 2,000 jobs and has helped make the city the leading retail destination in the East Midlands.
Heart of the National Forest Foundation
Under the late Nicholas Corah the foundation raised £20 million to turn a derelict former colliery site in Moira, north Leicestershire, into forest land. This included the Conkers visitor centre, which educates children and informs adults about the importance of woodland.
Ross Willmott
As leader of Leicester City Council, Coun Willmott oversaw the creation of two of the city’s flagship regeneration projects, the £61 million Curve theatre and £21.5 million Phoenix Square digital media centre. He also played a major role in the creation of the city’s regeneration masterplan
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