The former head quarters of Leicester City Council are due to be demolished, via a controlled collapse in February.
The New Walk Centre will be demolished on 22 February in a controlled explosion, known as a “double blow-down”, which will see the two blocks brought down into their own footprint in a matter of seconds.
An exclusion area will be in place around the site to meet safety requirements, and perimeter fencing will be in place to ensure that debris and dust are largely contained within the demolition site.
Council officers and its contractors are in contact with residents and businesses in the area, giving them details of the plans for the day, and arrangements for offering them alternative accommodation during the demolition event.
Streets, bus routes and businesses in the immediate area should re-open by early afternoon.
Since July 2014, contractors from demolition firm DSM have been carrying out preparatory works and stripping the buildings of their fixtures and fittings. They are aiming to recycle 95 percent of the material.
Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said, “As anyone walking past New Walk Centre over the last few months will have noticed, the demolition contractors have been making huge progress in stripping the buildings back to their bare bones in readiness for demolition.
“We’ve been working closely with DSM to ensure local businesses and residents are kept up to speed with developments, and with the detailed arrangements for the day so they know how it will affect them and what help we can offer.
“The ‘controlled initiated collapse’ method means the buildings can be demolished, the surrounding area cleaned and the roads and businesses re-opened all within the same day, which will be a huge relief to residents and businesses who have patiently put up with the preparation works over the last few months.
“We are due to make an announcement shortly on a preferred developer to bring the site back into use, which I’m also sure will be welcome news to the businesses in that area.”
As a part of the agreement with the future development partner the site will be cleared and ready for the development scheme.
The New Walk Centre plot is a prime city centre development site easily accessible from Leicester Station, New Walk and the heart of the city’s shopping area.
