‘Significant moment’ as Nottingham Broadmarsh demolition begins
The leader of Nottingham City Council says the city’s regeneration efforts have hit a major milestone, as work to knock down the former Broadmarsh Shopping Centre began this week.
Around 1,000 homes will be built on site, alongside 210,000 sq ft of retail space, in a Homes England led scheme which will realise two decades worth of regeneration efforts centred around the 20-acre Broad Marsh area.
Demolition work will progress in phases across the site, starting with asbestos removal works, with redevelopment anticipated to start in 2028.
The project is being led by Homes England working in partnership with the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Nottingham City Council, supported by £3.4 million of funding from EMCCA.
- READ MORE: Planned 2028 start for Broad Marsh scheme
An event to mark the start of demolition works was held this afternoon (May 6).
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The start of demolition at Broad Marsh is a significant moment for Nottingham and the wider region.
“This site has long represented untapped potential, and we are now taking decisive steps to unlock it. By working in partnership, we can deliver new homes, jobs, and opportunities while creating a vibrant and welcoming destination that reflects the ambition we have for the city and the wider region.”
Homes England completed its purchase of the site in March last year, describing the city-centre site as Nottingham’s “top priority regeneration project”.
The city’s Boardmarsh Centre and surrounding area has lain empty and partially demolished since former owners Intu went bust in 2020, with work underway on a refurbishment programme for the 1970’s precinct.
Jo Nugent, executive director for the Midlands at Homes England, said: “The start of demolition works at the former Broad Marsh shopping centre marks another major milestone in the regeneration of Broad Marsh. This activity significantly reduces development risk for the private sector and enables us to bring the scheme to market in search of a development partner with the expertise and credentials to deliver high‑quality, exemplar regeneration within a complex city centre environment.
“Our close partnership with Nottingham City Council, and now the East Midlands Combined County Authority through our Collaboration Agreement, sets Broad Marsh apart as a powerful example of three public sector organisations working together to deliver genuinely transformative regeneration that Nottingham can be proud of.”
Key achievements for the project so far include the establishment of a new Nottingham College hub, the opening of the Central Library, and the completion of the “Green Heart” public park.
Councillor Neghat Khan, leader of Nottingham City Council, said the start of demolition works represents a key milestone in Broad Marsh’s regeneration.
“The council successfully applied for grants to facilitate the partial demolition of the former shopping centre frame to lay the ground for this development, so to see preparation works ahead of further site clearance is really encouraging,” she said.
“A huge amount of work was put in by the council after Broad Marsh was suddenly handed back to us during a global pandemic in 2020 following the collapse of Intu. We carried out the Big Conversation consultation to understand what residents and businesses wanted to see in this important space.
“We’ve built a new central library and bus station, then delivered the Green Heart off the back of it, redesigning the Sussex Street area and worked with the NHS and Homes England to bring a world-class medical facility to Lister Gate. Broad Marsh, when complete, will help transform this important part of the city centre.”
