Time to act on the big space outside town McDonald’s
IT was a landmark moment, a combination of forces coming together to fight for the future of the town.
Businesses, council leaders, even Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan believed the prosperity of Loughborough lay on a handful of bricks.
Yes, pedestrianise A6 Market Place, keep it free from buses and cars.
I was there to report on it; a two day public inquiry held at County Hall in October 2015.
I witnessed the cheers and jubilation as Leicestershire County Council’s cabinet passed the scheme despite objections from bus companies.
It felt like something great was about to happen – that this was a catalyst for change.
Okay, it was no Martin Luther King moment, but it genuinely felt exciting.
There were talks from Loughborough’s Business Improvement District (BID) of holding street markets in the new space, live music, events, it would bring more businesses into Loughborough, more people into the shops. It would make Loughborough great again!
Yes, this was Loughborough’s yellow brick road. But just like Dorothy when she finally arrived at Emerald City, it was all smoke and mirrors.
Okay things worked out okay for old shiny slippers, but I can’t help but feel deflated by the promises that were made and not delivered.
Personally speaking, the pedestrianisation has been a disaster.
It has now become a congregating area for drunk people, the homeless, and is rife with antisocial behaviour, street fighting and litter.
The uncomfortable, unimagi- native bench plonked in the middle by the council, like a vagrants round table is not inviting or a place I’d want to sit.
To my knowledge there have been no plans to use that space for anything that exciting or relevant. The only benefit is we don’t have to look both ways before crossing the road.
Only two weeks ago, I witnessed a man being attacked outside McDonald’s at 5pm and was aggressively approached twice for spare change. Is this really what those who fought so hard for pedestriansation hoped for? I think not.
So I urge you, I plead with you, Charnwood Borough Council, Loughborough’s Business Improvement District, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan, sort this sad situation out!
Come together, get imaginative, and let’s use that great big space for something worth treasuring.
You can do it. I know it.