New owners for St Martin’s Square

The new owners of St Martin’s Square have met City Mayor Peter Soulsby to talk about their plans for the area.

Shearer Property Group will revitalise the 1980s development – one of the city’s most popular eating, drinking and shopping destinations – and wants to position it as Leicester’s very own Soho. The group has been involved in a number of major inner city regeneration projects, including Grand Arcade in Cambridge, the Southgate Centre in Bath, Parkway in Newbury and the former Dickins & Jones department store on London’s Regent Street.

Managing director Guy Shearer says they plan to support the existing tenants in St Martin’s Square, while encouraging new high-class operators to the area. “St Martin’s Square has not seen any significant investment in years,” he said. “Our approach will be to revitalise the centre to encourage the interesting mix of existing operators and to attract exciting new independent operators to the area. It is our intention to position St Martin’s as the vibrant Soho of Leicester – full of independent high-class operators with a strong emphasis on individualism.”

“Leicester is a city with a great heritage and a great future, and we are delighted to be playing our part in helping to deliver the city council’s ambitious plans.”

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “St Martin’s Square has been home to independent shops and quirky cafes for more than three decades, so I’m delighted that its new owners are keen to build on those characteristics and create a unique destination in Leicester. A revitalised St Martin’s Square will be a further boost to an area that’s seen significant investment in the last few years, with recent additions such as the Delilah delicatessen and Middletons restaurant complementing the regeneration of the streets and spaces around the cathedral.”

“The Shearer Property Group’s investment in Leicester is a strong vote of confidence in our city centre. We welcome their investment and look forward very much to working with them.”