A community hopes that a major development would forever change a part of Nottingham. Neighbours and traders in Sneinton have told of their excitement for the much-anticipated Island Quarter development.
It is hoped that the three-storey, canal-side destination for the city would bring more footfall to Sneinton Market which is "thriving", according to regulars in the area. Hundreds of apartments and a huge new hotel are set to be built as part of the ongoing project.
An 18-storey hotel with a further block of 9/10 storey apartments and a connecting atrium space would be built at the £650m development on the former Boots Island land. The proposed next stage of development would include a 223-room hotel and roof terrace 247 build-to-rent apartments with a podium roof terrace and co-working office spaces.
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The development, which was labelled as a 'city within the city' project, was praised by locals. Aaron Bulley, assistant manager at the Fox and Grapes in Sneinton Market, added: "Sneinton has gone from strength to strength. I remember 15 years ago it was a no-go area."
The 35-year-old added: "Everyone thought it was a rough area. Now it is the place to go." He added that the project would inject cash in the area, and said: "Everything that increases footfall in the area is welcomed. It will mean a lot to our businesses.
"Sneinton is thriving. People would hopefully be tempted to come here for a drink or a brew. There is a lot of diversity here. A lot of shops, cafes, new bars and places to go."
An array of units containing independent businesses, cafes, and bars surround the colourful market. Richard Gray, who has lived in Sneinton for 15 years, added: "I think it will add value to the area, and hopefully the properties here will be worth more in a few years."
He has been a loyal customer at the Fox and Grapes pub for a few years , and added: "There will be a massive hotel there as well. Visitors to Nottingham will naturally want to explore the city."
The 44-year-old added: "Hopefully they would not mind spending some money here. And why not? There is a lot to do in Sneinton Market."
"The market is really nice, it gets better every summer. It will surely attract them to come here."
Raj Mohammed, a shopkeeper in Sneinton, also has high hopes that the project will raise the businesses' status in the area. He added: "It is really good for businesses here. People would have plenty of things to enjoy here.
"It will increase the footfall, and bring more money into the area. Maybe it will even attract more investors as well."
