Plan to scrap Leicester art gallery shelved

Leicester councillors have put on hold plans to scrap a proposed new city centre art gallery after hundreds of people signed a petition.

A site in New Walk had been earmarked for the 拢2.4m City Gallery two years ago, but the plans were abandoned because of fears over funding cuts.

Councillors have now shelved the decision and pledged to wait and see what next year's budget is first.

A petition protesting at the decision had collected more than 600 names.

Councillor Ross Wilmott, former leader of the city council said: "Obviously this government is making huge cuts to the city council budget, but we haven't seen what they are yet.

"What we've said is that we wouldn't make the proposed cuts without first seeing the budget in total.

"I'd argue that we should listen to what people are saying in the city and listen to the petition and listen to what people have said about keeping an art gallery."

The council fixes its budget in March.