WORK to further improve a busy shopping street and important gateway into Leicester city centre will enter a new phase from next week.
Leicester City Council is carrying out works to widen footpaths and create more space for pedestrians on a stretch of Granby Street. Improvements to the stretch of road between Dover Street and Chatham Street are now complete.
The second phase of Granby Street improvements is due to begin on Monday 5 August. This will require road closures between Chatham Street and Belvoir Street for up to four months. Short, well signed-posted diversions for motorists and cyclists will be in place.
The Alfred Street car park will also need to be closed for up to four weeks from Monday (5 Aug).
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout, and all businesses will be open as normal.
The improvements will see former pay-and-display parking bays along Granby Street – which have been out of use for more than three years – converted into wider, high-quality footpaths with potential for outdoor-café seating areas and to help improve the route between the city centre and Leicester railway station.
Additional on-street parking bays will be created on Chatham Street, York Street and Calais Street from Sunday 4 August.
The works on Granby Street will make permanent a pop-up scheme introduced in 2020 as part of the city council’s response to Covid-19.
These latest works are part of wider, ongoing investment to improve the street scene and shopping environment on Granby Street. This includes the refurbishment of the landmark Grand Hotel buildings and restoration of its historic shopfronts, supported as part of the city council’s successful bid for £1.5million from Historic England towards a High Street Heritage Action Zone for the Granby Street and Church Gate conservation areas.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “Granby Street is an important gateway into the city centre and a busy shopping street in its own right.
“These ongoing improvements will help create a more attractive route for walkers, wheelers and cyclists with more space for shoppers and café-style seating.
“The work will help further improve the look and feel of the area, supporting the major heritage-based investment being made to landmark buildings along the route, making it feel safer and more welcoming to all.”
A final phase of work – currently planned for early next year – will also permanently close the junction of Dover Street and Granby Street to motor vehicles to help further improve pedestrian safety. The city council plans to create a new turning facility on Dover Street, to maintain access for general traffic to nearby businesses and attractions, including The Little Theatre.