A new multi-coloured mural has appeared on the side of a former office building as part of the transformation
The former Drury Hill Broadmarsh Shopping Centre entrance in Middle Pavement is being transformed into a food courtyard(Image: Joseph Raynor/Reach PLC)
Progress is being made on major plans to replace a former entrance to the abandoned Broadmarsh Shopping Centre in Nottingham with a “vibrant” food and drink courtyard.
A temporary space for independent traders, food and drink vendors and creatives is being built at the Drury Walk area, which sat as a “hoarded-off car park and goods yard” for years.
The former entrance to the centre could be accessed from Middle Pavement and Bridlesmith Gate, but has been closed off by panelling since the Intu shopping centre’s closure in 2020.
The underutilised space is being brought back to life as part of the wider transformation of the Broad Marsh area, which will see the shopping centre torn down to make way for around 1,000 new homes and 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community space.
Along with the abandoned office buildings next to it, the Drury Walk area will be utilised as a temporary food courtyard whilst the rest of the shopping centre area is demolished and then redeveloped.
Homes England, which owns the wider Broad Marsh area, previously invited businesses and independents to express interest in taking on the available land until 2029.
A spokesperson for the government agency has told the Nottingham Post it has seen a “good response” since putting the call-out in March.
They said: “We continue to make progress in identifying business, creatives and community groups interested in taking on temporary space on the Broad Marsh site.
“We have had a good response since we launched opportunities on Drury Walk and The Green Heart back in March, and we will continue to have conversations with organisations and the relevant authorities to facilitate interim uses.
“In the meantime, we continue to undertake work to prepare spaces for temporary use, and we will continue to provide the community with updates in the coming weeks, and months.”
The former Maid Marian Way College building and the NCP car park are also set for demolition as part of the Broad Marsh redevelopment.
“Artists, makers and event organisers” were also asked to express their interest in the new courtyard space, with plans for a new mural on the side of a former office building next to the Drury Walk area.
The multi-coloured painting can now be partially seen from Middle Pavement, along with new railings that form part of the entrance to the new space next to the Magic Garden bar.
Hanging lights, separate food tents and new signage are also on the way, according to drawings submitted to Nottingham City Council.
Nearby businesses on Middle Pavement and Bridlesmith Gate previously told the Nottingham Post their hopes that the new area would be similar to the Green Heart park, on the other side of the former shopping centre site.
