OPENING SOON!
LIGHT AT END OF THE TUNNEL AS NEW FOSSE PARK GETS READY...
THE new Fosse Park West and Food Central areas are set to open on April 12, the owners have revealed.
The Crown Estate is preparing to welcome shoppers and visitors to its new and improved Fosse Park, with the retail and leisure extension completing in time for nonessential retail rules easing.
The expansion project, which has been under way since April 2019, will open to the public on April 12 – the same day as pub beer gardens – with others opening in phases from this date, subject to the latest government regulations.
In advance of this, some of the brands will be opening for collection only, from April 1.
Michael Bell, senior asset manager at The Crown Estate, said: “I’m so pleased to announce the completion of our development at Fosse Park.
“The last year has been a challenging period for us all, but our team has worked hard to achieve our ambitions.
“I’m delighted we’ve still been able to involve the community in aspects of the design, by using virtual forums to bring those discussions together.
“Fosse Park has been a muchloved destination in the Leicester area over the past 30 years, and everyone at Fosse Park looks forward to welcoming visitors, when it is safe to do so, to enjoy the enhanced destination.”
The extension to Fosse Park includes 16 electrical vehicle charging points, 172 cycle parking spaces, about 500 photovoltaic panels (the equivalent of powering 31 homes per year) which will power the development’s external lighting with renewable energy, and 5,000sqm of planted areas, including green walls, hedgerows, trees, insect hotels and wildflower meadows.
Public areas across Fosse Park have been designed to echo the former heritage of the site as a brewery and connect into the surrounding landscapes of the Soar Valley.
They will, The Crown Estate said, provide spaces to meet friends and family and enjoy the other offerings of Fosse Park, such as the children’s play zone, the art trail and seasonal activities and events.
Fosse Park supports more than 2,000 jobs and almost £2.5 million of contracts were created with local suppliers.
John Richardson, strategic director at Blaby District Council, said: “We are delighted to see the opening date for the extension of Fosse Park getting closer.
“Both residents and shoppers have been eagerly awaiting this fantastic development, which will help to boost the economy thanks to the creation of jobs. We hope everyone intending to visit Fosse Park West follows the government guidelines and visits safely.
Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, said: “I am really delighted to see the new extension at Fosse Park completed ahead of its phased opening.
“Fosse Park is already the nation’s premier out-of-town shopping park, but this very welcome £168 million investment will help increase footfall and bring new levels of economic benefits and employment to South Leicestershire and the wider region.
“The Crown Estate has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that local people gain from job opportunities as well as apprenticeships and work placements for young people.
“The Fosse Park extension has been constructed with environmental sustainability and our communities at the core.
“I look forward to visiting as soon as it safe to do so and should like to wish all concerned the very best of luck ahead of the new site’s opening”.