A Nottingham councillor has spoken out on his vision for a market which has gone from "strength to strength". It comes as fences which blocked part of the Sneinton Market were recently taken down - and excitement is now building up for whatever is next for the area.
Councillor David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council and ward councillor for Dales, has told Nottinghamshire Live that Sneinton has become an "exciting destination". "If you go there on a sunny day, it is full of people", he added.
The vibrant and rejuvenated area is home to popular café Blend, international shop Murat, and plenty of independent businesses operating in the shopping units spread around the market. Besides the business opportunity, work is near completion on the student accommodation block on the corner of Bath Street and Carlton Road, which neighbours another development of its kind on the Lower Parliament street.
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The Sneinton Market has now been put in the spotlight as fences were taken down in a section within the precincts, and work is currently ongoing on the privately-owned site. Cllr Mellen added: "There will be some shops in there as well, but I understand it is mainly student accommodation there as part of the student living strategy across the city where we are trying to provide purposed built student accommodation rather than having family houses of students. We are trying to get balance."
He went on and said: "We know that the students numbers at both universities are going up and therefore it is something that we have got no power over. There is clearly a market in student accommodation. It is not us who are doing this it is various private industries doing it to clear a market of that kind of accommodation."
With a reputation for art, culture, and lively nightlife, the Sneinton Market is set to become a community hub that will potentially become home to more students in the area. Cllr Mellen added: "I think we just need to get balance. Young people in the area bring life when they are here. Clearly it also depends to what happens to that student accommodation during the summer holidays, if it is used by other people during that time then it will continue to have that life and I think it is good for students to live in those kind of areas. Certainly if they are spending their money in the nearby environment, and that is great for those businesses that are operating there."
In his words, the Sneinton Market "has gone from strength to strength" - a development which received help through European funding. Cllr Mellen said: "I think the space has been rejuvenated for a little while now. But I think there's more to go, and I just hope that all the various elements will come together and there will be a place where people really enjoy living. We haven't got as many people living in our city centres as much as other cities and I think we are looking in various places to increase that. Not to students but other people as well who would like to live in the city centre."
Across the market, there is a range of independent and quirky businesses. When the sun is out, people make most of the weather sat at the tables spread around the central part of the market. Now, a covered terrace has also been installed with many enjoying an iced-latte in the glorious sunshine.
Sarah Manton, who has run her business in the market for six years, said that Sneinton has come a long way. "When I first came to Nottingham 20 years ago, I would avoid Sneinton because it was a derelict area," she said.
She was outside her store Curious, caring for the flowers in front of the shop and added: "I remember that a lady said that Sneinton used to be called the 'small town'. So there was the big town, which is the city centre and then you have got Sneinton. We are an independent, little, state. You do not need to go too far because you have got everything you need here."
Speaking about the potential plans to erect student flats at the back of the market, Ms Manton added: "The Sneinton Market has its own independent ethos. I think it is great that there will be more young people in the area, but I think they will have to make an effort to know and become part of the community. I do not want it to be turned into a student ghetto."
She described the Sneinton Market as a "community hub", a home to creatives who are making a living through their art, and added: "They should come here and be among us."
