The owner of a shop at an arcade that was about to be demolished said the news was shocking. Developers are eyeing the Odeon Arcade, between Leicester’s Market Place and Cank Street, which was announced this week.
The plans would see the existing building almost completely torn down, with only the traditional market-facing facade remaining, if the plans are approved by Leicester City Council. New shops and 53 flats will then be built in their place.
But what about the stores that are already in the arcades and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods and the customers who frequent them?
READ MORE: A bid to demolish a shopping arcade in downtown Leicester and build flats and shops in its place
The shop owner currently located in the arcade said they had no advance notice of the scheme. They don’t know yet what the future holds for them. Many have been in arcades for a decade or more, and were based in Market Place before moving inside.
Roy Bhalla, 57, owner of Roy’s Material World, said his business has served customers in the area for 40 years, 10 of which were in the arcade after moving from the market. He told LeicestershireLive: “There have been some discussions [about the development]but it’s just a rumor that they might think about it.
“This is a bit of a shock. Forty years this business has been here. It just digests the current news, it still needs to sink in.
“I don’t know what to do, this is very worrying. I don’t know what to do with all this stock.”
“I want to talk to [the owners], but they live abroad so it’s difficult, “he added. “Hopefully it doesn’t continue. I’m sure the board will look at all the factors concerned.
“The city center has fallen to its knees. Losing all these shops and having all these disruptions, it’s not going to happen overnight, it’s worrying.”
For some people in the arcade, moving isn’t an option. Suraj Bhandari, 72, owns Pommygranit, a gothic and steampunk clothing store. Pommygranit was on the market for 22 years before moving to arcades 14 years ago.
He said his health meant he couldn’t simply relocate himself and his livestock elsewhere. The first he heard of the proposed changes was when a sign was put up this week advertising it.
“I can’t move from here,” he said. “I have chest problems, breathing problems. To move my stock is impossible for me. I will be completely closed.
“All these stocks, I don’t know what to do. I’m so worried. It’s a big shock to me. It hurts.
“I get customers from everywhere, Derby, Hinckley, Nuneaton. It makes me happy to see people here. This will be a big loss for many people. They put another nail in the coffin [for the city centre]. It’s not the same town it was 20 years ago. It hurts left, right, and center.”
Leicester resident and Pommygranit regular Pamela Smith, 64, said she was deeply disappointed by the news. She said the shop was unique, in part due to the friendship she developed with Mr Bhandari over the years shopping there.
“I’ve been shopping here for a long time, sometimes I’m even given food,” he said. “What other shop does that? When you go to another store, you feel like you’re only there to buy things and then you rush out for the next customer. I am very upset, I am happy to come here.”
He agrees that downtown is not what it used to be: “Cities need variety, these places are unique. [Will the new shops] be all restaurants and takeaways? It’s just boring.
“Two or three years ago, in the morning I used to say, “ooh, I’m going to town!” Now I’m thinking “this is it..” and I have to do it.
Abigail Smith, 58, owner of Bradgate Lace, said the news wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Bradgate Lace spent 30 years on the market and has been in the arcades for 13 or 14 years, he added.
He said: “The previous owner tried to rebuild it in 2015, but the plans fell through. So we know that’s always in the cards. I was surprised at first, but it needs to be done. It’s just an empty building.”
Will he move back once the new store units become available? “I don’t know,” he said. “That depends on how long. We all think it will be in about two years. It’s been a long time. We’re all looking for a new place, but until we find something, we’ll be here.”
Made Architecture’s applicant said in planning documents submitted to Leicester City Council that the scheme would “make efficient use” of “abandoned” buildings. The existing façade along Cank Street is dull without design and mismatched [its] surroundings,” the company added.
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