A new vision for the condemned former Broadmarsh Shopping Centre is 'taking shape' as new paving is laid, trees and planters are introduced and amphitheatre-style steps are constructed. After more more than a decade of anticipation, Nottingham City Council says it is finally making "good progress" on the Greater Broad Marsh area.
After intu collapsed into administration in 2020, the 1970s shopping centre at the city centre's southern reaches was left in ruin, with a vision to transform it into a "shopping experience" quite literally lost amongst the rubble. Years later, however, and after being handed back to the Labour council, work to transform the Wembley Stadium-sized site is happening.
Canal Street now features a brand new car park and bus station, which is being utilised more by shoppers and commuters after a dismal start, as well as an inviting cycle lane stretching all the way along Castle Boulevard. The area around Nottingham College, including Sussex Street, also looks dashing with vibrantly-painted murals on the tram bridge, under which grow an assortment of trees and plants.
And now work to re-surface and pave Middle Hill is scheduled between September 12 to September 18. Collin Street will too be pedestrianised and link to the Sussex Street area via new "amphitheatre-style steps" which are currently under construction.
A new walkway through what will soon become the 'Green Heart' - or Lister Square - is also progressing well, linking the newly transformed southern area to Lister Gate.
City Council leader and Dales ward councillor David Mellen said: “We’re continuing to make good progress with some really transformative work on the streets around the Broad Marsh area. This used to be an unwelcoming gateway to the city from the south, and while there is still a lot to do, already our improvements have reduced barriers and the dominance of traffic and created pleasant spaces where people can linger and enjoy the surroundings."
The work has been paid for following a successful bid to the Government's Transforming Cities fund, with around £20m allocated to create a new gateway to the city centre. More recently and following a failed attempt, the council has also submitted a bid to the Levelling Up fund for a further £20m to redevelop the remaining section of the shopping centre site.
While the council awaits the outcome, Councillor Mellen adds: “Work continues up Middle Hill, requiring some overnight road closures and then we will turn our attention to linking that area with a reimagined Collin Street plaza, which in turn will literally pave the way for the vision of the shopping centre site to take shape.”
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