Nottingham City Council is asking residents, businesses and visitors to share their views on a proposed new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Nottingham city centre.
The four-week consultation launches today and seeks feedback on a range of measures designed to help tackle anti-social behaviour, protect public spaces and support a safer, cleaner and more welcoming city centre.
Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, councils can introduce PSPOs to help address behaviours that have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of people in a local area.
The proposed Nottingham city centre PSPO includes measures around:
- Obstructing access to buildings or blocking highways
- Interfering with street cleansing operations
- Unauthorised requests for money and certain street collections
- Big Issue sales from approved pitches only
- Busking that causes unreasonable disturbance
- Distribution of free materials such as leaflets without permission
- Mobile advertisements such as human A-boards or placards
- Urinating or defecating in public places
The proposed PSPO is intended to balance supporting a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive city centre while also helping address behaviours that can negatively impact residents, businesses and visitors.
The Council is keen to support positive activity in the city centre, including respectful busking and authorised Big Issue sellers, while ensuring there are appropriate powers available to respond where behaviours are causing nuisance, obstruction or distress.
Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities, said: “Public Spaces Protection Orders are an important part of our toolkit to respond to anti-social behaviour. By bringing in these restrictions, we will make our city centre safer and more welcoming for everyone, whether they live here, work here, or are visiting.
“I know everyone wants Nottingham city centre to be a success, and this consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on how these public spaces should be managed in the future. We want to hear a wide range of views, whether you live in Nottingham, work here, or come in for shopping or a night out. By sharing your thoughts with us, you’ll help ensure that any measures introduced are fair, proportionate and support a positive environment for everyone.
“This is about listening to communities, balancing different needs and making sure we continue working towards a city centre we can all feel proud of.”
The consultation will run until 11:59pm on 23 June 2026.
People can complete the consultation online here.
Paper copies of the consultation are also available at:
- Byron House Reception, 4 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6HS
- Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH
Following the consultation period, all responses will be reviewed before a final decision is made on whether to introduce the proposed PSPO.
