Historic pub to be demolished as part of £22m railway redevelopment
Leicester railway station’s £22m redevelopment will proceed with the demolition of the historic Parcel Yard pub on London Road.
Last month, the decision to demolish the pub was deferred by Leicester City Councillors, citing concerns over potential cost increases due to inflation, as cautioned by officials.
At a planning meeting on Wednesday, the demolition received unanimous approval.
The recent decision, however, clears the way for the removal of the pub, named after the station’s former sorting office and parcel yard.
Full plans for the restoration should be lodged in March, with the demolition expected to take five months to complete.
The authority secured the government levelling up cash towards a complete remodelling of the station in 2021, which needs to be spent by March 2025, or it could be lost.
While the station redevelopment lacks complete planning permission, there are indications that it will repurpose the current covered entrance hall into a new plaza, featuring retail spaces and dining options.
The station entrance is proposed to shift from London Road to Station Street, restoring the station’s façade and establishing it as the new main entrance, coinciding with the current location of the pub.
Additionally, the relocation of existing taxi ranks to Station Street is part of the plan.
A verdict on the station revamp is anticipated in July next year. The council has stated that if the project does not ultimately receive approval, a pocket park will be established in place of the pub.