Leicester developers light up city centre

Developers involved in regeneration projects in Leicester city centre have lit up the city for Christmas.

Leicester-based Sowden Group, involved in a number of city centre projects, has sponsored Christmas lights in New Walk, close to a £30m office, retail and residential scheme due to complete soon on the site of former city council offices.

And Sowden has also jointly sponsored a giant Christmas tree in Vaughan Way where a 12 storey apartment and retail block is being built in a £40m scheme. The tree is also sponsored by construction company Winvic and property investors Longharbour.

Sowden managing director Roy Coley said: “Sowden, along with Winvic and Longharbour, are transforming much of the city centre but we appreciate that a building site isn’t necessarily an attractive feature during the development phase. Hopefully our Christmas tree and Christmas lights will brighten things up,” he said.

Mark Jones, director of multi-room for Winvic, said: “We are delighted to be able to provide the Christmas tree in line with our commitment to working in a respectful way on all sites, being mindful of the public and the environment, through our role as a member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.”