Construction work is progressing well on Nottingham City Council’s £20m upgrade programme for Bulwell.
Contractors Willmott Dixon moved on to site towards the end of October last year to begin preparatory works for the project, which involves a total revamp of the much-loved Bogs area, new-look Market Place and wider landscaping and improvements.
This has included so far:
- Taking up and replacing block paving in the Market Place, starting with the section outside B&M
- Channel drainage works in Market Place, Main Street and Commercial Road
- Excavation of the Bogs for drainage in readiness for surfacing and installation of new kiosk, play equipment and splash area
Detailed proposals were shared in May 2025 after months of planning to capture as many suggestions as possible from a major consultation exercise carried out in 2022.
This had followed confirmation from the Government that the city council’s bid for funding from the former Levelling Up Fund programme was successful.
More than 500 residents, businesses and community groups took part and five key themes emerged in their feedback: increasing people’s pride in Bulwell, more high-quality green space, making it easier to get around the town centre, more cultural activities for families, and enhancing the night-time economy.
All these comments were taken into consideration as the council’s project team put together a plan to deliver a range of improvements to make the town centre more attractive, including:
- Bulwell Bogs: The much-loved Bulwell Bogs area to be fully refreshed with a new planting and landscape design, including a high-quality play offer to cater for all ages. It will see renewal and expansion of the splash park and introduction of a refreshments kiosk with toilet and changing facilities to make the park a great place to visit – particularly in summer months. Lighting and CCTV will also be upgraded
- Market place: Existing market equipment to be replaced with new stalls, along with better access to electrical power on site, supporting both new and existing vendors
- Bus station public toilets: The existing bus station toilets will be rebuilt and completed modernised
- Wider public realm refurbishment: Paving will be renewed across the pedestrianised areas of the town centre along with new seating and landscaping. Connections will be improved between the Market Place and the Bogs area to bring these separate parts of the town centre together
As part of these improvement works, the public toilets next to Bulwell bus station, in Vere Street, will close on Monday (26 January) to be replaced with a new facility. This will open later in the spring.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications, said: “It’s fantastic to see real, visible progress being made on our plans to transform Bulwell. This is an exciting moment for the town, and we’re proud to be delivering improvements that will make a lasting difference for local residents, families and businesses.
“Many people will already have noticed activity in the Market Place, with groundworks now also under way at the Bogs. These early stages mark the beginning of a major transformation – bringing a brand-new splash park, enhanced play spaces and attractive green landscaping that will create vibrant, welcoming places for everyone to enjoy.
“The strong response to our consultation has directly shaped these plans, and this year’s investment in Bulwell is a clear example of us listening, responding and delivering together. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views – your voices are helping to shape Bulwell’s future.”
The project, including the new Bogs play areas, kiosk and splash pad, is due to be completed by the end of the year.
