£2.7 million town centre revamp is a chance to prove critics wrong, says council head
MUCH-DELAYED PEDESTRIANISATION SCHEME NEARS COMPLETION
THE multi-million pound pedestrianisation of Coalville town centre is a chance to “prove the doubters wrong”, according to the council leader.
Councillor Richard Blunt has also called on people to embrace the “once-in-a-lifetime” project, which has suffered a number of delays.
The final touches are being added to the Marlborough Square regeneration project, which has seen a car park ripped up and replaced with granite paving to form a new outdoor market and events area.
It has cost North West Leicestershire District Council £2.7 million, a figure that has led to much criticism over the years from members of the public, with one doubter comparing the project to putting lipstick on a pig.
But Coun Blunt said the critics had spurred him and the authority to complete the job, which he describes as the biggest investment in Coalville in a century. He said: “I want to prove the doubters wrong. It’s a major project, a once-in-a-lifetime one that is bigger than most could possibly imagine.
“I respect the criticism. I’m actually glad of it, as it shows people care. I know we’ve got to change the perception here in Coalville.”
Granite slabs have been laid to create the pedestrianised events area, which will also have “high-quality” seating, bins, bollards and information panels.
LED lighting is also being installed to make the area more attractive, with the option of providing al fresco dining options from Newmarket and the Monkey Walk pub also envisaged.
It has taken some time to get to this stage, however, and the scheme has suffered a number of setbacks. The original contractors pulled out before more problems emerged when Victorian sewers below Marlborough Square collapsed.
As work nears completion, Coun Blunt is delighted to finally get it over the line.
He said: “I know we’ve lost support for the project along the way, as people have become frustrated with the amount of time taken, but I’m hoping our future plans for the space will be seen positively.
“It has been a complex space to reimagine, with lots of complications due to the nature of the space, but I firmly believe this is one part of the puzzle in terms of breathing new life into this part of Coalville.”
The new area will host weekly markets and a series of events is also planned. The first will be a family fun day, ahead of Halloween and Christmas activities. There will also be a vintage Goth fair on Marlborough Square.
The possibilities are endless if people embrace the change, according to the council leader.
He added: “We’ve got to learn and adjust to what people want here in terms of events.
“It’s a learning experience for all of us, as we will be looking at doing things more regularly, like a vintage car rally – something you never have in Coalville.
“There aren’t many open spaces in Coalville to work with, and the whole point of this is to make it the real heart of the town.”
Marlborough Square will officially launch on Friday, August 23 with the first weekly market taking place from 8am to 4pm.
The following day, the first event will be a family fun day with street entertainers, live music and a climbing wall, with activities taking place from 10am to 4pm.
I respect the criticism. I’m actually glad of it, as it shows people care. I know we’ve got to change the perception