One of Leicester's "least loved buildings" will face the bulldozers after its demolition was approved this evening.
The city's huge 1970s market hall is to be flattened to make way for a new public square after councillors passed plans for a £7 million revamp of the area.
Members of the city council's planning committee unanimously approved city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's plan aimed at re-invigorating the historic market.
Nearly 300 people had signed a petition opposing the demolition of the current market hall.
It is set to be replaced by a new glass, steel and timber pavilion on the edge of the Corn Exchange which will house relocated fish and meat traders.
Committee chairman councillor Patrick Kitterick said: "Leicester has a fantastic fish market but we hide it in that building.
"It is one of Leicester's least loved buildings."
Councillors heard that not all the traders in the existing market hall would be able to move into new units, but were told that was not a planning consideration.
Coun Kitterick said the new pavilion would display the wares of the fish and meat traders in a much better way and said the old building was not structurally sound and had "always been on borrowed time".
He added: "Hopefully it will draw people out of the Highcross and into that part of the city."
Councillors said the removal of the red-brick market hall would improve the appearance of the Grade II listed, 19th Century Corn Exchange to which it is currently attached.
Councillor Lynn Moore said: "The Corn Exchange is elegant ant Italianesque. Its ugly companion will now be banished."
Committee colleague Sundip Meghani said the existing market hall had a "Prisoner Cell Block H feel about it".
Although the council has approved the scheme, it still needs Government consent because it is in a conservation area and some of the works will affect listed buildings such as The Corn Exchange, used as Lloyd's bar, and Molly O'Grady's pub which sits at the rear of the indoor market. However, that is likely to be a formality.
The new square will sit between the two pubs.
The city council intends to fund the £7 million scheme by borrowing money against the £650,000 annual income from the market.
Now planning permission has been given, the council intends to start building the new pavilion so it is ready to open by Christmas.
The fish and meat traders will move across and it is hoped there will be minimal disruption to their businesses.
Once the pavilion is open, the demolition of the old hall and the laying of the new square will start and, if it goes to schedule, the project will be complete within the following 12 months.
