Plans to transform Old Market Square into a greener, more sustainable public space have been included in a wider programme intended to improve Nottingham city centre and address concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.
The long-term proposal is to create a city-centre “central park” while retaining the square’s distinctive open character and its ability to host major events.
An initial £4 million has been identified for the first phase of the project. This includes £2.5 million from the East Midlands Combined County Authority, alongside government Pride in Place funding.
Nottingham City Council has previously said residents will be consulted before detailed proposals are drawn up. Possible changes include more greenery and the replacement of the square’s fountains, which have been out of use since June 2022.
The plans form part of the partnership response to a city-centre survey completed by more than 1,700 residents and 160 businesses.
Alongside changes to the physical environment, the partnership is pursuing enforcement measures aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour and crime.
These include proposed restrictions on wearing balaclavas and other face coverings when they are being used to conceal someone’s identity while committing an offence or causing intimidation.
The proposal is not a blanket ban and would include exemptions for legitimate religious, health, safety, work and weather-related reasons.
Broad Marsh and Lister Gate
The city council will also continue working with Homes England on the redevelopment of the former Broad Marsh shopping centre.
The wider masterplan includes more than 1,000 homes and up to 20,000 square metres of retail, office, leisure and community space.
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It is hoped the development will increase footfall and help tackle the number of vacant units in Lister Gate, which was heavily affected by the closure of the former shopping centre.
Preparatory work for the next phase of Broad Marsh demolition is already under way, with major construction currently expected to begin in 2029.
Separate plans would see the former college buildings and NCP car park in Maid Marian Way demolished. Homes England purchased the sites as part of the wider regeneration project, and their removal would clear the way for future development and changes to the Maid Marian Way road layout.
The area already includes the Broad Marsh Green Heart, Nottingham Central Library, the bus station and new public spaces linking the railway station with Lister Gate.
Distinctive areas intended to ‘design out crime’
Partners also plan to use Hockley as a model for creating areas with stronger and more distinctive identities elsewhere in the city centre.
The approach could include changes to lighting, CCTV, landscaping and the use of public spaces. The stated aim is to make areas more attractive to visitors while making criminal and anti-social behaviour more difficult.
Closure orders will continue to be sought for buildings associated with repeated incidents.
A closure order was imposed on the former Debenhams building and Norfolk Place alleyway after reports of young people entering the empty store and gaining access to its roof.
The partnership says no further incidents have been recorded at the site since the latest order was introduced.
