Pop-up businesses and food traders could set up shop around the Broad Marsh site as part of its continued regeneration. Nottingham City Council is now exploring the possibility of bringing a variety of activities to the revamped streets around the former shopping centre, with the aim of creating a new destination to attract visitors.
The move could initially see temporary pop-up businesses trading in Sussex Street, Collin Street and Lister Gate, which then could potentially stay in the area long-term. The proposals are currently at an early stage of development, but could involve independent traders, food and drink, seasonal entertainment events and opportunities for local producers, suppliers and artists to showcase themselves.
Nottingham City Council is now asking potential operators to register their interest in the plan and advise on what industry professionals would need from the three proposed pop-up areas to make them viable for businesses. The three proposed sites are a 450sqm area at the bottom of the amphitheatre steps in Sussex Street near Nottingham College, and 700sqm spaces in Collin Street across from the new library and the Lister Square part of the new Green Heart area.
The aim is to provide opportunities to temporarily use sites initially for up to five years, with a view to starting to establish some of the new activities from towards the end of this year. The move comes as the area continues to be redeveloped, with the new Central Library due to open and work on the Green Heart area starting later this year.
City Council Leader, Councillor 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.”
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