The regeneration of the Broad Marsh site “continues to progress at speed”, a top director says.
Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, bought the wider site, including the NCP car park and the former Bluecoat sixth form college site on Maid Marian Way, in March 2025.
The former shopping centre has been left mostly derelict ever since its previous operator, intu, collapsed into administration in 2020, and the site was handed back to Nottingham City Council.
Its sale last year marked a turning point for the stalled regeneration site.
At the end of July, Homes England confirmed there had been “strong interest” from developers.
The agency now expects to formally invite bids for a main development partner in September, with an appointment due early in 2027.
In the autumn, work will begin to demolish redundant buildings on the former college site and the NCP car park, paving the way for redevelopment.
Jo Nugent, executive regional director for the Midlands, said: “The Broad Marsh project continues to progress at speed, both in terms of the preparations for demolition of existing structures on-site and the identification of a development partner to work with us to move forward.
“Demolition of the southern section of the former Broad Marsh Shopping Centre will also accelerate as we prepare the site for the future.
“As demolition works complete, we are excited to start to establish interim uses at Broad Marsh, meaning people in Nottingham can expect to see much more activity on site through 2027.
“Throughout this process, Homes England continues to work closely with our partners at Nottingham City Council and at the East Midlands Combined County Authority.”
Half of the former Broadmarsh Shopping Centre has already been demolished, with the Green Heart city park opening in its place in October 2024.
On the remaining site, Homes England has proposed more than 1,000 new homes and 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community space, building on the vision drawn up by the council with the help of the city’s inhabitants.
Following the demolition of the NCP car park, Maid Marian Way will be realigned to provide four lanes running straight south.
The upper two levels of the car park over Maid Marian Way are “likely to be removed” with the road kept open, while the lower section will require a temporary closure.
It is anticipated that some of the shopping centre’s old frame will be kept, as suggested by urban designer Thomas Heatherwick, but this proposition was scaled back following apprehension from developers.
Work on Nottingham University Hospitals’ Community Diagnostic Centre is continuing, and the hospital trust told the LDRS it still expects to welcome its first patients in 2027.
The centre will have three MRI and three CT scanners, delivering up to 140,000 tests a year.
Funding has also been approved to push the development of a new tram stop, serving the Broad Marsh area, further along the tracks.
Nottingham Express Transit (NET) said it could serve the new diagnostic centre.
Foundations for the Broad Marsh tram stop were built on the viaduct in Middle Hill during the first phase of the network’s construction in 2004.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Mayor Claire Ward gave the council money to go towards “the next phase of development work” for the tram stop in July.
Ms Ward added: “Broad Marsh is one of the UK’s most exciting regeneration opportunities, and it’s encouraging to see organisations from across the sector recognising its potential.
“Working alongside Homes England and Nottingham City Council, we are committed to transforming this site into a thriving new neighbourhood that creates new homes, jobs, businesses and public spaces for local people to enjoy.”
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter