New superstore in Braunstone Gate would 'transform' retail park
A supermarket could help transform an "eyesore" retail park in Leicester into a modern shopping area.
Developers said they wanted to spend £15 million building a 43,000 sq ft shop on the site of the former MFI and Allied Carpets stores, in Braunstone Gate, in Leicester's West End.
Talks are understood to be under way with Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons. If the store goes ahead, it would create about 150 jobs.
Fairgate Investment, which owns the site, has put in a planning application to Leicester City Council.
Project manager Bartley McGovern said: "The deteriorating and run-down premises will be replaced by a much-improved development.
"Highway improvements will also be carried out, reducing the impact of traffic along Braunstone Gate."
The retail park was built in 1984. Only Carpetright is still trading on the site. MFI closed in 2008 and Allied Carpets last year.
Mr McGovern said: "The site has become something of an eyesore in a fashionable part of the city. This will be a striking, modern development and key landmark on the approach to the city centre."
Current buildings would be demolished and the superstore built with 200 car parking spaces, landscaping and lighting.
Mr McGovern said discussions were taking place with the "big four" supermarkets.
People in the West End area had mixed views.
Tom Mayfield, 25, of Braunstone Gate, said: "It's a great idea.
"Having a supermarket in the area will be a massive benefit for residents, particularly students.
"One concern I have is its effects on small independent shops.
"Traffic could also be a problem as it gets quite busy around there."
Lucy McDade, 21, of Hinckley Road, said: "It will be handy for students.
"If you want to go shopping now, you have to get a bus or taxi.
"It would also brighten up that area and make it safer.
"It can be quite dark and scary for a girl on her own."
Sean Bradford, assistant manager of The O Bar, in Braunstone Gate, said: "The MFI car park is dark and dingy. You get a lot of fly-tipping, which attracts rats and people using it to do drugs.
"We need to bring more people into the area during the day time.
"Ideally, I'd prefer some clothes shops, which would fit in a bit better, but a supermarket would be an improvement."
Councillor Sarah Russell, ward member for Westcotes, said: "It's a run-down site which desperately needs some work doing to it.
"My one concern is the impact on smaller shops."
The developer said it hoped for a decision on the scheme by December so work could begin next year.
It is understood that Carpetright would relocate to premises nearby.
21 Comments
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by John, Leicester UK
Sunday, October 31 2010, 11:30PM
“By the way Rich, Leicestershire that was not an old rusty bridge falling down that bridge was perfictly good and had nothing wrong with it I know a structural engineer who used to work for BR and he checked it years ago it was built to last so yes they could of built the swimming pool on the MFI Site I thought that area was all bars pubs and takaways and independent grocers who all use Tescos as a big cash and carry anyway so a new store would be someware for them to get there stock”
by Nick, Leicester
Saturday, October 16 2010, 7:24PM
“...which isn't to say that speculative retailing is a bad thing. Supermarkets can be very useful - but anyone who believes that they open in response to local demand - rather than in anticipation of it - is sadly mistaken”
by Nick, Leicester
Saturday, October 16 2010, 7:10PM
“There's an important difference between a `need' and a `demand' (ask an economist).
I doubt there's any formal evidence of actual demand for a superstore in this location but that's not how these things work. It's all about persuasion (i) the developer persuading the planners to grant permission (ii) the developer persuading a superstore to buy (or lease) and (iii) the superstore persuading customers to buy its products and services. The idea that anyone will have made a thorough assessment of actual (rather than prospective) demand is comical. In Romania circa 1970, maybe. In the UK in 2010, not a chance. This sort of retailing is essentially speculative. It's all about forecasts and risk management; not about identifying a need and then satisfying it.”
by John Bull, Leicester
Saturday, October 16 2010, 3:09PM
“'There is no need whatsoever for this development' Kevin Gorringe
They wouldnt bother building it if there wasn't a need. Supply and demand.”
by J.R., Leicester
Saturday, October 16 2010, 7:27AM
“When the complex was built in the early '80s I am sure that there was a condition attached to it that people could use the car park if they were visiting businesses in the area. The make up of Braunstone Gate has altered dramatically over the last thirty years so whatever happens it would be good in my view to implement this clause again”
by Dave, Leicester
Friday, October 15 2010, 5:04PM
“When Leicester City wanted to move across the river from Filbert Street, the authorities wanted to quash it on the grounds that the plans included retail facilities and that it was situated outside the core city centre area.
Later they moved to the Walkers without the retail element.
Have the rules changed again ?”
by anon, anon
Friday, October 15 2010, 4:44PM
“a site this large in a prime, central location shouldn't be wasted on a single-storey development.”
by Kevin Gorringe, The Narb
Friday, October 15 2010, 4:35PM
“There is no need whatsoever for this development. We are already well supplied with supermarkets here and it this will only threaten them and lead to closures which will only cit down our choice not increase it.
There are better things that could be put there. This sounds for all the world like it is the best thing for the counciors and the developers and perhaps the supermarkets but not for the people who live here. How about some clothes shops and shoe shops and other different kinds of shops. Perhaps the site could be used for several different sorts of shops rather than yet more generic bland corporate supermarkets. Perhaps a bit more imagination and a longer term view of things is in order.”
by Peter, Cambridge. Massachusetts
Friday, October 15 2010, 3:09PM
“It appears to me that this site is an ideal place for a mixed use development with perhaps student housing above a supermarket. The site is fairly well removed from adjacent residential areas and students do not need cars. It would also offer an opportunity, to get rid of the suburban, overgrown vegetation on Narborough Road North, that feels pretty unsafe for the pedestrian.
Considering the shortage of land in the centre of Leicester, highlighted by the constant 'town/gown conflict, a single storey, suburban supermarket market typology seems like a folly to me. Let's not delude ourselves, this is a dense urban area with all the attendant land use, economic and social pressures which get more intense over time. I wonder whether there has ever been a urban design master plan created for this part of town, to help guide development?”
by Tom Watson, Barwell
Friday, October 15 2010, 2:47PM
“Do we really need another supermarket or is this something to appease the student population?
Plus, given the areas nightlife, consideration must be given to the retention of some level of free parking for those why use the bars & restaurants, as there is no on-street parking.
Start charging or putting a paltry 2 hour limit on parking, and people wont use it.”