Call for ‘meanwhile’ uses as Broad Marsh gathers pace
Nottingham-based traders, food and drinks businesses, and creatives are being sought out to ‘activate and enliven’ Broad Marsh, while work continues on the city’s flagship regeneration site.
Demolition of existing buildings on the 20-acre site, which includes the former Intu shopping centre, is expected to accelerate throughout this year, ahead of plans to start development on a mixed-use scheme in 2028.
Now, Homes England says it has sites available for for “meanwhile uses”, set to bring extra footfall to several currently under-used areas of Broad Marsh during the regeneration of the area, available from the middle of this year through to 2029.
The agency wants operators who can help create a vibrant destination for independent traders, food and drink operators, artists, and makers, as well as event organisers and community organisations who want to test ideas, grow their audience, or establish a temporary presence in the heart of Nottingham.
The opportunities focus on the area surrounding the Green Heart and Drury Walk, accessed from Middle Pavement / Bridlesmith Gate, and the city’s cultural quarter.
Homes England is working with Nottingham-based Box Property Consultants to market the site.
Jo Nugent, Executive Regional Director for the East Midlands, at Homes England said: “Since we acquired the site back in March 2025, we have worked with our partners Nottingham City Council and East Midlands Combined County Authority to focus on what we can do to bring life back to the Broad Marsh site before and during the main development works commence.
“As demolition works continue, and momentum behind the project builds, we feel the establishment of local meanwhile uses on the site provides a great opportunity for local businesses, creatives, and community groups to breathe life back into Broad Marsh and give local people a taste of things to come.”
The Drury Walk site includes a mix of covered internal space and an external courtyard, and will come with power, drainage, and water supply, while another site around the Green Heart is suitable for containers or mobile business units, and will have an area set aside for seating.
As the demolition progresses, more sites will be made available, Homes England says.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “We fully support Homes England with this next step to bring early activity and creative uses to Broad Marsh.
“This was a key part of our original vision for the site. It’s great we are now in a position where demolition work is taking place, and we can encourage the creative use of the space to bring footfall to the site.
“We wanted to encourage local businesses and community groups to the area as soon as possible to bring their ideas and energy. This will give people more reasons to visit while helping to support the longer-term regeneration of Broad Marsh.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, added: “Broad Marsh is one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in the East Midlands, and it’s great to see the momentum behind this vision that puts local people and businesses at the centre.
“As Mayor, I want to see investment translate into real opportunities for residents and a stronger sense of pride in the places we call home. Initiatives like this help keep the city centre active, supporting inclusive growth and reinforcing Nottingham’s role at the heart of a thriving East Midlands.”
