It's been 25 years since St Mary's Place in Market Harborough perfected modern '˜higgledy-piggledy'

Cake cutting...Emily Foster and Liz Baines of Argos, Bailey Mcfall of Specsavers, Helen King of Wilkinsons, Suzy England of Boots and John Perry of St Mary's Place during the celebration of 25 years.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER NNL-180731-153641005 — Cake cutting...Emily Foster and Liz Baines of Argos, Bailey Mcfall of Specsavers, Helen King of Wilkinsons, Suzy England of Boots and John Perry of St Mary's Place during the celebration of 25 years. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER NNL-180731-153641005

There was a cake, balloons, rock with ‘St Mary’s Place’ printed through it and local musicians.

St Mary’s Place’s 25 shops have been a success. The thoroughfare attracts an average 60,000 visitors a week, said Centre Superintendent John Perry, and 90,000 towards Christmas.

The reason for its success?

“The actual design of St Mary’s Place is pretty clever” said John, of management group Savilles.

“It looks like a higgledy-piggledy bit of High Street, with different angles and all the units slightly different shapes and sizes, so it fits in with a charming market town.

“The central square by the Market Hall is a place where people meet, the river bridge is a feature, and the entrance by the old Peacock Hotel (now Pizza Express) is attractive too.”

Current St Mary’s Place stores include Wilkinson’s, Boots, Argos, Specsavers, Costa, Greggs and Toni & Guy.