The city now has a glimpse of the new walkway through the former Broadmarsh Shopping Centre site which will eventually feature views of the new 'Green Heart' with a Major Oak the focal point. It is hoped the new green space will be completed shortly after the opening of the new central library next year.
Foundation work has been taking place on the new walkway, that's being developed between Collin Street and Lister Gate. In the future it will feature boarding similar to the existing route, however 'windows' will be installed so work on the new green space, called Lister Square, can be seen as it takes place. A new sign has also been put up.
The city council said the new pedestrian route was due to open in September, with the current pathway, through a covered tunnel from Collin street to Lister Gate, replaced by the new path.
The walkway will be brightly lit with new lighting and monitored with CCTV along with bollards at either end, fenced off from the demolition site either side. The new route will be fully developed to coincide with the Collin Street improvements and will become part of the Green Heart space.
When the site has been completely cleared, the new route will open as work progresses on the surrounding area including streets around the Broad Marsh Car Park, Bus Station and Central Library building, the car park open and the new National Express bus station.
The regeneration of the former shopping centre has been tumultuous over the past decade. Following the recent collapse of its former owner intu it was handed back to Nottingham City Council which, upon a public consultation, eventually unveiled a new vision for the condemned site in December last year.
Despite the council's initial failed bid for £20m from the Conservative Government's Levelling Up fund, which would have given the authority the required cash to further progress the site, work on the western side has been able to continue. The demolition of this area, where Boots once stood, is now almost complete.
And the overall redevelopment of the western side could be finished shortly after the opening of the new central library, which has also faced delays. City council leader, Councillor David Mellen, told Nottinghamshire Live in June that the demolition of the western side would lead to the new green space.
Money from the Government's Transforming Cities fund, which has already been secured, will be used to pay for the so-called Green Heart. In June 2020, Nottingham City Council and Derby City Council received "unprecedented" financial backing from the Government in the form of a £161m package to strengthen connections between major employment sites, upgrade public transport and improve the public realm for people on foot or bike.
The city council has since submitted a fresh £57m bid for levelling up funding so the wider redevelopment of the shopping centre site can progress. The development of the rest of the former shopping centre site, including a new City of Caves entrance, 700 homes, a hotel and the use of the old shopping centre frame will require funding and financial backing from the private sector. The new plans have been drawn up with the help of urban designer Thomas Heatherwick.
City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “There are huge changes underway in the Broad Marsh area, with vastly improved streets creating pleasant areas to walk and relax, along with the new car park that’s already open, bus station that has started running coach services and the Central Library where fit-out is underway.
“Of course, one of the major changes is the demolition of the former shopping centre, which makes way for a fantastic vision of what could replace it, with a bid for £20m of Levelling Up Funding submitted to Government last week. We’re pleased that this phase of demolition is now nearing completion, allowing us to open up a new open-air pedestrian route between the Southside and city centre for the first time in almost fifty years.
“This is a small but significant step towards creating a reimagined gateway to the city that will play an important role in Nottingham’s future, making it a more attractive and accessible part of the city.”
