Entrepreneurs are being invited to support the regeneration of Nottingham’s Broad Marsh areas by setting up pop-up businesses.
The city council hopes some of them could become permanent as its long-term transformation plans develop.
The move could initially see temporary pop-up businesses setting up shop on Sussex Street, Collin Street and Listergate, involving independent traders, food and drink outlets, entertainment – including seasonal events – and opportunities for local producers, suppliers and artists to showcase themselves.
The first pop-ups could launch at the end of the year and it is possible some could be allowed to stay for five years.
Redevelopment of the area already includes a new Central Library which is due to open, and work on the Green Heart area starting later this year.
Public improvements, similar to those already carried out in Carrington Street and Sussex Street, are also due to get underway in Collin Street, connecting the new library and new Nottingham College via amphitheatre-style steps and offering a new gateway to the city via the Green Heart area and Listergate.
Over a million people pass through the area every year, including visitors to the city coming from the train station, tram system and new Broad Marsh bus station and car park, along with thousands of students at the new college.
The full vision will take 15 years to unfold.
The three proposed sites are a 4,800 sq ft area at the bottom of the amphitheatre steps in Sussex Street near Nottingham College, and 7,500 sq ft spaces in Collin Street across from the new library, and the Lister Square part of the new Green Heart area.
City council leader Coun David Mellen said: “We’ve made fantastic progress on our plans to completely change the look and feel of this part of the city.
“Streets that were once filled with traffic are now pleasant places to be, students are enjoying the new college, and the new bus station and car park are up and running in a modern building where the new central library will open later this year.
“Work on the Green Heart and Collin Street improvements will also get underway this year – but we know that it will be some years before the vision for the whole site will be fully realised.
“Rather than wait, we are keen to start to find ways to animate the area, make it a destination in its own right and give people reasons to linger and enjoy it rather than simply passing through.
“We want to hear from organisations with ideas for what could help to animate the area, for an initial period of up to five years, with a view to becoming part of the Broad Marsh experience long-term.”
To apply by Friday, March 10 click here.
