Leicester housebuilder to buy industrial unit for basketball team
A disused industrial unit owned by the city council is to be sold to support the expansion of a community sports arena and home of Leicester Riders basketball team.
Leicester City Council will sell its freehold interest in property and land at 10 Charter Street to Jelson Homes, a major sponsor of the Leicester Riders. A provisional sale price of £320,000 has been agreed.
The East Midlands-based house builder will carry out necessary repairs and improvements to the property before offering it on a ten-year subsidised lease to the Leicester Riders Foundation, which operates the adjacent Leicester Community Sports Arena.
The £4.8milllion community sports arena has been home to Leicester Riders basketball team, and Leicester Cobras wheelchair basketball team, since it opened in January 2016. It was developed in partnership between Leicester Riders, Leicester College and Leicester City Council, with support from Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and Sport England.
The property at 10 Charter Street will be developed for use as office space and as a new base for the Leicester Riders shop.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “I am delighted that the sale of this property will support the further development of the Leicester community sports arena.
“The creation of the new arena was a great example of what can be achieved when organisations work well together. I am delighted that Leicester Riders and the community sports arena are continuing to benefit from excellent partnerships and the generosity of sponsors.”
Kevin Routledge, chairman of the Leicester Riders, and Director of the Leicester Community Sports Arena, said: “This investment in enhanced facilities will be an important next stage of development for the arena, and in ensuring sustainability of the venue in the medium and long term.
“Once again, Jelson Holmes has shown great foresight and support in aiding the development of our community sports facility, and we are grateful to them for that commitment.”
