A social enterprise project is breathing new life into a row of shops that have been derelict for more than 30 years by converting them into creative studios. The Howie Smith Project has already restored many of the rooms in the terraced row on Broad Street with a view to opening some next month.
The builders are working to preserve some of the original features of the buildings which were once shops on the busy city centre street. This includes preserving the original windows, staircases, chimney stacks and wooden beams in each room.
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Each of the new studios is being carefully rebuilt, painted and fitted with a shower and toilet ready to open. The project is set out in stages with the studios being the first phase of the building work.
"Broad Street is three terraced listed buildings which have been derelict for potentially thirty years. The upstairs unit originally housed creative businesses and we have planning permission to restore thirteen artist studios on the upper floors," Dr Robert Howie Smith, Director of The Howie Smith Project, said.
"Each one will have a shower and a toilet along with 24-hour access to be spaces for creative enterprises. They could be an artist studio, recording studio, workshop space or retail space. Whatever the creative enterprise can think of as I'm very open to discussion."
He added: "The affordable spaces which are in the cultural centre of Hockley and the studio themselves as the first stage of a development that has been independently funded and managed by my social enterprise. It's dedicated to creative affordable spaces."
"The affordable spaces which are close to the cultural centre of Hockley and the studios themselves are part of the first stage of a development which has been independently funded and managed by my social enterprise which is dedicated to creating affordable spaces."
Dr Smith has a history of similar projects around Nottingham and he has wider plans for the studios at a later stage. He would like to create an event space with a bar and coffee shop.
"Part of the bigger project is that later we will be developing the ground floor to be part of the cultural hub with a small bar with meals and a coffee and dessert shop too along with other aspects of the ground floor concept which will allow it all to work together."
He added: "The Howie Smith Project is a social enterprise. I'm a bit bohemian in that I believe in the diversity that Nottingham has to offer. I'm consequently very creatively supportive of that bohemian culture in the city."
As with any long-term empty building, there are a lot of repairs to work through before the space is ready to open. The builders have been working hard to ensure that everything is ready to go but it can be difficult working with listed buildings as there are restrictions on what can be done.
"As this is a listed building, we have had to adhere to the rules but we have kept certain features which I thought were vital to the spaces such as the old chimney stacks or beams throughout the ceilings in every room," he said.
"We haven't just restored them but we have enhanced them too. The 1900's originality is part of the concept and especially when we get to the ground floor, some aspects of that period are very influential in its design. So we can't knock around too much."
He added: "These are very small studios conveniently located, very supportive of independent artists and small creative enterprises. Some rooms will fit two artists and others can fit four but they are ideally suited as independent spaces which recognise the traditions and original layout of the building."
The studios could be available from next month as part of the first stage of the project. Despite minimal marketing, there has already been interest from creative parties who would like to move in when ready.
"We are hoping they are available within the next month as we are just putting together the finishing touches to things like electric works and certifying what's necessary and checking building regulations. We got delayed because of Covid, as everyone did, so we've been eager to get them all up and running."
He added: "We've already had a response even though my marketing has been minimal. We are picking up pace now with eight studios coming online in the next few months with more to follow. Nottingham lacks creative space in the city and it's gone in the direction of converting workspaces into residential spaces."
"There is a big trend of that in the city so this is an opportunity to restore a bit of balance. I'd like to think that with all the prospects our future holds, now is a good time to be thinking about what you can do for yourself. The way forward is to be your own creative enterprise if you have the ideas."
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