Leicester's reputation as a centre for the arts is set to receive another boost thanks to plans for a striking new building to house the city's contemporary art gallery.

The city council has already agreed to replace its City Gallery on Granby Street, with a new venue in an existing building on New Walk.

Now councillors are being asked to give the go-ahead for a brand new £2.4 million gallery to be built on the site of the building – a former nursery owned by the council.

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Cllr Andy Connelly, Cabinet Member for Culture said: "A new purpose-built gallery would enable Leicester to have national and international exhibitions of the very highest quality, and would add to our reputation as a city of culture.

"The new proposal would mean we could have a greater range of exhibits, as well as better public facilities, and spaces for community and education work.

"The new building would also be designed to be as environmentally-friendly and energy efficient as possible."

The City Gallery is currently on a commercially rented shop site. The new gallery would be located on the site of the council's former workplace nursery, almost directly opposite New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.

The Cabinet will discuss the proposals on Monday 4 August, at Leicester Town Hall.

(CD/KMcA)