Information on Leicester

A WELL-loved Leicester landmark which has not been seen in public for five years could soon be displayed once again. The Liberty Statue had stood for decades on the roof of the former Liberty Shoe Factory at the junction of Eastern Boulevard and Walnut Street. However the building fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished in 2003, to be replaced by the Liberty Park flats development.

The statue was removed and has been in storage ever since.

Now Leicester City Council has drawn up proposals to re-install the statue near to its original home, and is giving people the chance to make their views known on three alternative schemes.

Options include placing the statue on either a 2.5-metre or 4.5-metre plinth in the centre of the Swan Gyratory roundabout immediately opposite the Liberty Park building. A further option is to make a replica of the statue in a lightweight material which would be installed on the Liberty Park building roof.

It follows concerns that the original concrete statue - which is 17-foot tall and weighs nine tonnes - would be too heavy to re-install safely in its former position.

It is hoped the statue will be put in place to coincide with the planned completion and opening of the nearby Upperton Road viaduct scheme in December 2008.

Leicester City Councilâs cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Cllr Patrick Kitterick, said: âThe statue was definitely a Leicester landmark, and weâve had lots of interest from people who want to see it back in the area.

âThe work we are doing on the viaduct will result in an impressive new road layout which will help with the regeneration of the city.

âReturning the statue would put the finishing touch to the scheme."

Some restoration work is needed on the original statue, which dates from the 1920s, including replacing its missing torch.

Designs will also be drawn up for different-sized stone plinths and a plaque if the statue is to be displayed on the Swan Gyratory.

The Liberty Shoe Factory was built in 1918-9 and in its heyday was one of the cityâs major employers.

Details of the proposals can be seen at www.leicester.gov.uk/libertystatue

Anyone who would like to comment on the proposals, or on the return of the statue can email the city council at pressdesk@leicester.gov.uk.

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