Leicester Council proposes new HQ building

Leicester City Council is hoping to build a new headquarters building amid plans to demolish its existing offices.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the two mid 1970s tower blocks - which engineers have judged as unsafe - should be bulldozed within two years, although this decision still has to be ratified by the council.
Sir Peter said he would prefer to see a new headquarters built on the same site rather than see the council occupy an existing building in Leicester.
Sir Peter told the Leicester Mercury: “Demolishing [existing HQ] New Walk is the sensible thing to do.
“Our engineers suggested various techniques which could have prolonged the life of the building, but there was too much uncertainty surrounding the chances of success.
“The current buildings are eyesores. I’m determined a new building will be in keeping with the scale of the city.
“The people of Leicester wouldn’t forgive us for building extravagant new headquarters. It won’t be a grand design, a concept building, or a glass palace, it will be sensible and environmentally-friendly.”
He said the council would consider taking out a 25-year loan to cover the cost of construction or teaming up with a public or private organisation to share the cost.
But Tory opposition councillor Ross Grant said he was concerned at the potential expense of the venture, claiming it would cost at least £50m.