A DOZEN new large planters are to be installed on Leicester’s Market Street, King Street and St Martins this autumn, as part of ongoing work to green the city centre.
The scheme has been developed by Leicester City Council in partnership with BID Leicester to create a more attractive route between New Walk and the city’s Old Town area.
It will see 10 planters installed at the King Street end of Market Street and along Market Street itself, and a further two planters place in St Martins.
The planters will include small trees, fragrant specimen shrubs and drought-tolerant perennial plants, providing additional greenery and seasonal colour in the city centre.
The locations have been carefully selected to enable the planters to have the most visual impact while taking account of existing street furniture, seating areas and other practical considerations.
City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “This new planting scheme will help make Market Street and St Martins greener and more attractive places to spend time.
“It’s part of our continued investment in the city centre and will strengthen the connection between New Walk and the Cathedral area, helping to create a more welcoming environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
The £90,000 scheme has been developed in partnership with BID Leicester as part of ongoing work to transform the city centre.
BID Leicester Director Simon Jenner said: “Creating an attractive, welcoming city centre is really important for the businesses that operate here and for everyone who comes into Leicester to shop, work, eat and spend time.
“These new planters will bring more greenery and colour to some key city centre streets, while helping to create a stronger and more inviting connection between New Walk, Market Street and the Old Town. We’re pleased to be working with Leicester City Council on another practical improvement to the city centre environment.”
Installation of the planters is expected to begin at the end of October, with planting due to be completed by mid-November. The area will remain open during the works, although there may be some temporary disruption while the planters are lifted into place.
Businesses close to the proposed planter locations are being informed in advance of the work.
(Picture shows a computer-generated impression of how Market Street will look with the new planters in place. Positioning of the planters is indicative.)