davieG Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 10:30 - 19 August 2008 A £200 million plan to build a new city centre swimming pool, ice rink, bowling alley, homes, shops and offices has been unveiled. The old Corah factory site between Burleys Way and Abbey Park could be transformed if the proposals get the go-ahead. The Bowbridge Group, which owns the land, wants to build a leisure centre which would include a 25-metre pool, a bowling alley and a large multi-use sports hall. A civic square would feature a public performance area which can be iced over in the winter so people can go skating. A 17-storey landmark hotel building would stand alongside the leisure centre and an art-house cinema could also be built. There would be around 250 homes in the development along with a large food store, cafes, small neighbourhood shops, offices and workshops. Around 1,000 jobs could be created on the site for people working in the hotel, leisure centre and offices. A walkway through the site would lead from the city centre to Abbey Park. If the development takes place it will be the biggest regeneration programme since Highcross Leicester. Work could begin as early as summer 2009 and the complex would be finished in 2014. Nick Townsend, of The Bowbridge Group, said: "It's a site crying out for regeneration and redevelopment. It's right in the heart of the city. "It's a catalyst for the other areas of the city. The site underpins the regeneration of Leicester, it doesn't undermine it. "We believe the mix of development we are proposing is perfectly in tune with the exciting developments already under way in Leicester. "We've got a good level of interest from operators, but we want to know that we've got planning permission before we start firming up on that." Developers have just submitted an outline planning application to Leicester City Council. The city council could run the leisure centre or it could be operated by a private company, but still be open to the public. There has been no city centre swimming pool since St Margaret's Baths closed in 2000. Councillor Patrick Kitterick, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I think it's a really interesting idea. At the moment, it's quite difficult to access Abbey Park from the city centre. Any proposal that opened up the potential to create another New Walk would be quite exciting." He said the council would talk to the developers about being involved with the leisure centre. "We're quite happy to have discussions to see whether we could work together," he said. John Nicholls, chief executive of Leicester Regeneration Company, said: "It's very encouraging to think that Leicester is now in the league where developers are thinking this big. "I think the basic strategy of improving access through the site is vitally important. "Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done on the detail, but there are some really exciting elements to it." The developer's plans include constructing new roads which would create access on to the site and open up the rest of the area for development. These include a new junction created off St Margaret's Way on to Friday Street. The Corah head office in the centre of the site would be kept to feature in the new complex, along with two chimneys to the north. The Corah factory was built in 1865 and eventually became the largest hosiery works in Europe. Thousands of residents worked there over the years and it was visited by the Queen in 1958, but finally closed in the 1980s.
Benji Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 encouraging the amount of money being put into the city at the minute especially with highcross opening soon we shall see
Asha Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Thought this was referring to my school. Bout made me piss myself.
purpleronnie Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Problem is every development in england seems to get people protesting, (its just about the only thing that does). Meeting after meeting, revised plans, 5 years later and £1,000,000's spent it gets scrapped. Hope not though.
Phube Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 What about the newts... won't somebody PLEASE think of the newts!!
Mike the Metal Ed Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Now we just need a hockey team to make use of the ice rink.
purpleronnie Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 What about the newts... won't somebody PLEASE think of the newts!!
Ben Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Really hope it does happen. Riders could do with a new home and this could surely hold a few thousand?
Asha Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Really hope it does happen. Riders could do with a new home and this could surely hold a few thousand? Would they get thousands wanting to watch it every week though? Otherwise, what's the point?
Webbo Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 We need another swimming pool and bowling alley to replace the ones we lost to make way for the Highcross centre, but wouldn't it be better to have an olympic size pool? Do we really need another hotel, more shops when there are empty shops in the Haymarket?And the 250 homes are probably flats and they can't sell the ones in the city now. It probably will be done, but whether it needs to be done is another question.
Stevosevic Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Leicester needs something to give it a bit of life. It's one of the 10 biggest cities in England, possibly the UK, yet it still lacks the appeal other cities have.
Guest Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 I'll be a frigging OAP by the time we get an ice rink.
Ben Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Would they get thousands wanting to watch it every week though?Otherwise, what's the point? They did at Granby Halls and basketball is one the most upcoming sports aswell.
Asha Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 They did at Granby Halls and basketball is one the most upcoming sports aswell. Fair enough mate. Never been my sort so sport, and most lads I know wouldn't want to watch it, but if there's appeal for it then ok
Phube Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 I'll be a frigging OAP by the time we get an ice rink. Wait a mo' the ONLY two reasons I can think of to go to Nottingham are: John Lewis and Ice Skating!?! What will Nottingham be for!?!
Guest Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Wait a mo' the ONLY two reasons I can think of to go to Nottingham are: John Lewis and Ice Skating!?!What will Nottingham be for!?! According to the other half, the only two reasons for going to Nottingham are The Bell Inn, and The Salutation.
Asha Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Wait a mo' the ONLY two reasons I can think of to go to Nottingham are: John Lewis and Ice Skating!?!What will Nottingham be for!?! Would make a good toilet seat.
Ben Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Fair enough mate. Never been my sort so sport, and most lads I know wouldn't want to watch it, but if there's appeal for it then ok Yeah, it never really appealed to me before I first went to watch a game. I'd say it was the sort of sport you can get into once you've been to watch it live.
Dr The Singh Posted 20 August 2008 Posted 20 August 2008 We need to attract more corporate business and investments for a higher paid\lucrative careers in the city. Any new developments that would add social and entertainment value is a plus!!!
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