North West Leicestershire District Council says it is 'very aware' of the Marlborough Square development's critics - after listing a series of delays to the scheme over the past five years.

Friday's planned official opening of the square and its new outdoor market was cancelled on Friday due to a forecast of high winds.

That has now been put back to this Friday (August 30) - but a family fun day, part of the opening weekend, went ahead as planned on Saturday.

The council then posted on social media that the square was not yet complete - with 'rusting' planters and information boards yet to arrive.

It was a message that appeared to address some of the critical comments made on social media about the new-look area - in particular the cost of £2.8million.

The council's post reads: "Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to enjoy our free family fun day at Marlborough Square Newmarket Coalville today - we all had lots of fun! 

"The Marlborough Square redesign has been a five-year project involving so many different people and organisations, problems under the ground, a pandemic, supply issues… you name it, we've dealt with it. 

"But we've kept going, focussing on high quality design and robust materials to make this a brilliant public space for meeting, drinking, eating, for markets and events for many years. 

"We set a date beyond our expected finish time to hold the first events, thinking that everything would be ready. But it isn't 

"Some people visiting the square and seeing pictures of it will have noticed that some bits are missing. 

"In a workshop in Tamworth our beautiful bespoke planters, with integrated seating and lighting, plus our lovely information boards that will show people all about the history of the square are waiting to rust to the right degree before they can be installed. 

"Slow rust? You couldn't write it! But yes, the planters have been made from corten steel and are designed to rust before they're treated and installed. And it's taking it's sweet time (mainly because of the lovely weather we've been having). 

"We know that lots of people are looking forward to enjoying the square in all its glory (and we're very aware of the project's critics too), but no-one is as frustrated as we are, having got to this point and still have delays. 

"The planters and info boards have been designed to last with minimal maintenance and will be installed as soon as the specialists tell us they're ready. 

"In the meantime, we'll go ahead with the markets and events we have planned, and hope everyone comes along to support local businesses, helping to create a thriving markets and events space in the heart of Coalville. 

"So you can choose to laugh or criticise, or give us some sympathy. Needless to say, we're 'steeling' ourselves, but please remember to be kind!"