News
Party on the Square
28 February 2007
The countdown to the grand opening of Nottingham’s Old Market Square begins as an impressive programme of celebrations, covering two weeks in March has been announced.
A whole host of community led events and shows, as well as an impressive line up of national and local live acts will help Nottingham enjoy its biggest and best fortnight ever.
One of England’s largest public squares, the Old Market Square has been undergoing a complete transformation over the last 18 months, and now, with works coming to an end, it’s time to celebrate.
Events kick off on Thursday 22nd March with a lion themed live show, celebrating Nottingham, with over 1500 pupils from 35 Nottingham City Schools, supported by an orchestra and other musicians. Free travel on Nottingham’s tram and on NCT buses is being offered to all Nottingham City school children under 16.*
Events to mark the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act will be held in the Square over the first weekend (24th and 25th March), with The High Commissioner for Jamaica, His Excellency Mr Burchell Whiteman OJ and the Bishop of Kingston, The Right Reverend Robert Thompson spending the weekend in Nottingham for the commemorations.
The opening theatrical spectacular, on the evening of the 24th March, will involve over 1000 Nottingham residents taking part in two parades coming into the Square. The Lord Mayor will lead a short civic ceremony before an impressive fireworks and pyrotechnics display wows the crowd. Pyrotechnics, fireworks, plus live music, performances and even Robin Hood – a fantastic evening for all the family. Free tram travel and discounted bus travel available for all.
The following weekend (30th March – 1st April), a live music festival, involving national and local acts will take centre stage. Up and coming local bands will line up with the likes of Crazy P and Bent, with internationally acclaimed The Magic Numbers headlining on Saturday. More acts are to be confirmed. Competitions running in the Nottingham Evening Post, and other media, will give a local band the chance to perform live amongst the Saturday line up. Sunday’s headliners include Tony Hadley and his Big Band and other fantastic acts.
Although centred on two jam-packed weekends, the Market Square celebrations start to warm up from the February half term (19th – 23rd Feb). Throughout the half term week, young people and adults alike will be able to pop into the former Beatties toy shop on Mount Street, to create lanterns to take part in the two lantern parades on the opening Saturday. Sonic Forest – a stunning interactive sound and light installation will be in the Square – a hit with young and old alike. From 5th – 16th March, a huge dome, exhibiting photographs and images of Nottingham from the past 100 years, will give people from all over the city a chance to see how Nottingham has changed and grown.
Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council said: ‘Over the past 18 months, we’ve watched the exciting transformation of the Square taking place and now the hoardings are down we can see what a fantastic asset the Square is for the city. It’s the city’s central focal point to show off everything that’s great about Nottingham. We’ve got a line up of celebration events that serve to showcase the scale and variety of events and activities the Square can now host.’
Cllr. Leon Unczur, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Community Services and Tourism said: ‘What a great two weeks we’ve got in store for March. We’ve got a line up that will appeal to almost everyone – great family entertainment, live music to suit all tastes and a spectacular opening ceremony. New acts are coming on board all the time and celebrations aren’t just restricted to the two weeks in March. A whole year of events and activities are being planned to continue to show off our new Square.’
Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Des Wilson, said the Square was an ideal venue for the City and local communities to mark historic national events like the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Save Trade Act.
Click here for the two week programme of celebrations for the Old Market Square
The Return of the Lamp Posts
30 January 2007
A fusion of new and old sparked into life on Wednesday 24th January when the Lord Mayor switched on refurbished antique lanterns for the first time in the ‘new’ Old Market Square. He was joined by members of Nottingham’s Civic Society who have been keenly following the project’s progress.
The lanterns were a feature of the previous design by Cecil Howitt, positioned on top of the walls which flanked Long Row and South Parade. They were first switched on in 1929.
However the walls, steps and level changes of Howitt’s design impeded access across the Square and constrained the size of events which could be held within the space.
The new design by architects Gustafson Porter is not only more accessible but it recognises the importance of keeping the Square’s history alive. Many of the antique elements from the previous design have therefore been refurbished and returned to prominent positions.
The lamp posts have been restored to their original condition with a fresh coat of Penny Bronze paint and new glazing - but they’ve also got modern energy efficient light bulbs to meet today’s environmental standards.
Now lining Long Row, the lamp posts are interspersed with Gingko Biloba trees and modern up-lighters which are set into the pavement.
The two flagpoles have also been reinstated – one on Long Row and the other on South Parade. The two bronze urns - which used to sit on top of the walls near the old toilets - will shortly be positioned within the portico of the Council House façade.
Even the dynamic line which sweeps through the centre of the Square has historical significance as it follows the alignment of the old city walls seen on maps from the 17th century.
In the 17th century the Square was called ‘The Great Market Place,’ but it would have been incredibly dark at night. There was no public lighting in Nottingham at all until 1762 when an Act of Parliament was obtained for lighting the Great Market Place. These very first lanterns were made of thick coarse glass, and the burners fed with whale-oil which gave out a very small and irregular flare.
In stark contrast, the Square design makes good use of modern lighting techniques such as 2,500 meters of fibre optic cabling which has been in laid into the impressive new water feature - to create sparkling lights in the water jets – and the feature masts along South Parade will cast an ambient light across the Square as well as carrying rigging which can hold projection screens and theatrical lighting for special events and performances.
Tree-mendous news for Old Market Square!
14 December 2006
Specially selected trees which are set to give the Old Market Square a unique look have now been planted.
Pin Oaks native to eastern America and Ginkgo Biloba which only grow wild in one part of China were chosen by the scheme’s architects Gustafson Porter for their majestic proportions and striking leaf colours.
With both species growing up to ten metres high, the magnificent specimens will add an air of calm tranquillity to the bustling new Square. There will be five Pin Oaks on Beastmarket Hill Island and Beastmarket Hill, one Pin Oak behind the tram stop and seven Ginkgo trees on Long Row.
The trees are being brought over from a Dutch nursery – one of the few nurseries in Europe that supplies trees big enough for the project. They will be lifted by 25 tonne cranes into specially prepared sand-pits. As the trees are dormant between November and February this is the ideal period to move them into the Square – in time for them to develop new roots in spring.
Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council, helped contractors Balfour Beatty put the first tree in place. He said: "These trees have been chosen in the same way other elements of the scheme have – to ensure we have a top-quality Square that Nottingham can be proud of for generations.
"They will be a fantastic addition to the new Square, becoming Nottingham landmarks for many years to come. With the trees going in and more of the new-look Square emerging as work progresses, we can start to see what a stunning Square we’ll have when it’s finished."
COUNTING DOWN TO COMPLETION
2 October 2006
Anyone passing through Old Market Square can see the sheer scale and extent with which the paving works are cracking on. Utility pipes and cables have been diverted, new power networks installed, tree pits dug and new paving is going down left, right and centre at a fast and furious pace.
The Balfour Beatty team are going full steam ahead and pulling out all the stops for the work to be finished as soon as possible.
The green line on this plan shows the expected alignment of hoarding at Christmas 2006. Pink shading shows the terraces effected by the final deliveries of stone.
The Christmas celebrations are also being planned with a 50ft tree on order - ready to be placed in front of the Council House – and the German Christmas Market will be here from the end of November.
Designing and constructing a Square for the 21st century is, however, a complex business with many risks associated with the project. Currently there are some uncertainties about the supply of stone to be used on the seating terraces. The final pieces of stone, from quarries in Donegal and China, may not be available for delivery on site until late December or early January.
Nottingham City Council is exploring every opportunity to advance the programme without compromising the iconic design and prestigious quality standards that are such an important part of this key project for Nottingham.
Even taking these delays into account, the Old Market Square will be substantially complete by Christmas 2006 and opening spectaculars are being planned for Spring 2007.
In the meantime it’s all systems go, to crack on and pull out all the stops to advance the works as far, and as fast as possible.
ROCK HARD RESPECT
2 October 2006
The new granite paving in Old Market Square has been steam cleaned and the City Council are calling for it to be kept clean and shown some respect.
Stretches of paving have been opened for pedestrian access but haven’t been fully cleansed until now. The mortar between the slabs has needed time to set to a rock hard density capable of withstanding the high pressure hot water sprays used to blast away grime.
Now the mortar has been given the all clear by construction company Balfour Beatty and the Council’s cleansing team can begin to blitz the Long Row paving.
The paving stone is a type of granite called Crystal Azul and was chosen for its exceptional durability and anti-slip finish. It is a light grey, speckled granite which reflects sunlight and will brighten the Square, complementing the hue and tone of the Portland stone of the Council House.
Tester slabs of Crystal Azul, laid in the Square before the project started, fared much better than alternative granite samples. The chosen granite maintained its colour and finish, resisting stains and enabling grime to be cleaned off more easily.
The high quality paving reflects the City Council’s aspirations for the new Square, and its belief that residents and visitors can do more to respect their environment through not dropping chewing gum.
Since 2003, Respect for Nottingham has been cracking down on anti-social behaviour to make Nottingham a cleaner and safer place for everyone. Community Enforcement Officers will be patrolling the Old Market Square, as part of their city centre routes, issuing £50 on-the-spot penalty fines for anyone caught in the act of gum dropping.
Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Streets, Councillor Brian Grocock, said: “For the prestigious Market Square project the City Council has sourced high quality granite stone that reflects the importance, purpose and location of the Square. But the people of Nottingham also need to show the new paving some respect and refrain from spitting gum onto the street. Those that do, may well find themselves £50 poorer.”
Nottingham’s cleansing team work for three hours a day removing gum, covering 70 metres in an hour. Each stick of gum costs 3p to produce but 10p to remove. The bill for removing chewing gum in the city-centre runs into around £12,500 a year.
HEY DAD, THAT’S US!
2 October 2006
The old photographs on the hoardings now shielding Old Market Square have provoked many fond memories. But few passers-by will have had the same reaction as Glynn Lowth, who was stopped in his tracks - by a picture of his wife, Moya, as a child.
The archive photo, unknown to the family, shows the young Moya in the Square feeding the pigeons with her father, Harry Lee, now 88. Glynn spotted the image of his wife while wandering past the hoardings on a break from his work as an IT manager in nearby Pearl Assurance House. The 58-year-old dad of two told his wife and her father, but neither believed him until they were taken to see it for themselves.
He said: "I was just walking past and I thought it looked very much like my wife. I was convinced it was them because Harry hasn`t really changed much, and our family photos go back years. It`s amazing that I happen to work in the Square and I happened to pass by and see it."
All that is known about the photograph is that it was taken in the 1950s and is credited to the city council. Moya, 59, a teaching secretary at William Sharp School, Bilborough, can`t remember it being taken: "I used to go there with my dad on Sunday mornings to feed the pigeons - it doesn`t seem that long ago really," she said "My dad has been the most tickled by it. He saw it and just started to laugh."
The city council presented a framed print of the picture to the family as a memento and are delighted that something that has generated a lot of interest in Nottingham has caused the family such delight.
HERITAGE IN THE MAKING
14 September 2006
Curious visitors to Nottingham’s Council House have had the opportunity to ask council staff about the improvements to Old Market Square. As part of the Heritage Open Days, organised by English Heritage to give the public rare access to Nottingham’s historic buildings, people of all ages were able to view the works from the Council House balcony.
Almost 400 visitors turned out to see the progress and talk to project officers. The queries were varied, ranging from when the Square was going to be complete to how the fountains would be operated, but most went home with plenty of answers and everyone received a brochure showing how the new Square would look.
Visitors were reassured to know that Nottingham City Council is pulling out all the stops to get the Square finished - and many were especially pleased to hear that there will definitely be a Christmas tree in the Square this year!
NOTTINGHAM’S PRIDE AND AMBITION CAPTURED IN TIME
14 June 2006
Nottingham people were immortalised in Old Market Square when the Lord Mayor, Councillor Des Wilson, buried a lead time capsule under the famous slabs.
The capsule contained recordings of local people talking about why they are proud of Nottingham and what their ambitions are for the city’s future.
The Lord Mayor said: “The idea behind the time capsule is to leave a legacy which will tell future generations about the Nottingham of the present – what people here are proud of and what their ambitions are for the future.”
Children from Bentinck Primary School in Hyson Green did drawings showing the things they like about Nottingham and put their drawings inside the time capsule before helping to bury it in front of the Council House.
Ranging in age from five to eleven, many of the children were really proud to be involved and said that one day they will bring their own children and grandchildren to the spot where the capsule is buried.
Also in the time capsule were past, present and future images of the Square, an electronic version of the book Nottingham Transformed, that day’s edition of The Nottingham Evening Post and a letter to future Nottingham citizens from the Lord Mayor.
Huge thanks go to New College Nottingham and Matthew Church, from the Nottingham builders Hofton & Son, whose welding skills sealed the lead time capsule.
BRAND NEW TOILETS OPEN AT GREYHOUND STREET
25 May 2006
Shoppers and visitors in need of relief in Nottingham city centre are now able to "take a seat" in the brand new Greyhound Street toilets.
The new state of the art loos opened to the public at Greyhound Street at 7:15am on Thursday (25 May).
For the last few months, shoppers and visitors have been using temporary facilities in Old Market Square, whilst a complete renewal of the facilities at Greyhound Street has been carried out.
Now open the new premises will provide high quality ladies and gents toilets, both incorporating disabled access facilities.
Unlike the old underground toilets of Old Market Square, the new purpose built facilities have been provided at ground floor level to ensure convenient and direct access for people with disabilities and for parents with pushchairs.
High standards of cleanliness and safety will be ensured by the presence of full-time attendants.
The new toilets, which have cost around £500,000, have been opened in time for people to use during the upcoming bank holiday weekend when the city centre is at its busiest. Plans to provide toilet facilities at Greyhound Street for people with very severe disabilities are on schedule to open in June.
Commenting on the new facilities, Councillor Brian Grocock, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Street Services, said: "When the Council undertook a review of toilet provision in the city centre, it was clear that the public wanted better toilets. I am pleased to say that Nottingham City Council is serving Nottingham better, through providing new high quality facilities with full-time attendants who will ensure they are kept clean and safe."
SNEAKING A PEAK OF THE NEW SQUARE
18 May 2006
Fifty members of the public took a walk around Old Market Square on Saturday 29 April 2006 to see how the transformation is coming on.
Until now it has been difficult to imagine how the finished space will look, but from a tangle of steel and concrete rubble, a new-look Old Market Square is beginning to emerge.
Chosen on a first come first served basis, the group of 50 toured the site to see the foundations of the Square`s new water feature, the slots for future Christmas trees and the bases for lighting masts which will illuminate the new Square.
Peering into the space where the men`s toilets once stood, the group saw the beginnings of a plant room - which will control all the hidden apparatus of the water feature and lighting masts. An enormous underground tank will feed the water feature - the construction of which is one of the scheme`s biggest technical challenges.
The group were even able to stroll across the gleaming new granite slabs which are being laid to create a much bigger and flater surface than before. Set among the slabs are around 40 power points, to be hidden under smaller granite squares and used at markets, outdoor shows and events.
Another tour will be organised later in the summer, when more progress has been made.
To book a place on the next tour please call Esme Macauley on 0115 915 6617.
STRIKING THE TONE FOR THE FIRST SLAB
4 April 2006
The new face of the Square started to emerge this Saturday (1st April) when 18-year-old international singing sensation Hayley Westenra laid the first slab in a special celebration ceremony.
The young star, described in a New York Times review as having "the voice of angel", opened for Il Divo at the Nottingham Arena on Saturday night.
Laying the first slab is quite a task as each one weighs over 16 stone and is far too heavy to handle manually. A special machine which acts like a powerful vacuum used suction to lift the slab up. Hayley then helped to maneuver the slab into place before tapping it down with a large mallet.
Through a competition which ran on Friday 31st March Diana Smeton from West Bridgford, Nottingham won the chance to join Hayley in this historic feat.
At 18, Hayley has charmed audiences across the globe selling more than 2 million CDs, and constantly being described as the latest Charlotte Church or even Enya. She is one of the youngest artists ever to perform in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.
Old Market Square has now joined this list of prestigious venues as Hayley delighted the people of Nottingham with a song performed from the Council House balcony. The songstress even buried an album sleeve from her latest CD, Odyssey, underneath the first slab.
The winning artists from the Pride of Nottingham drawing competition, who have had their masterpieces displayed on the hoarding surrounding the site, were all been invited to attend the celebration ceremony.
Notes:
The transformation of the Square has reached an exciting stage. All remnants of the previous layout have been removed and now the people of Nottingham will begin to see the new design emerging.
With all the old concrete slabs now gone, tonnes of earth have been moved to level the ground in preparation for the new paving. The paving is a type of granite called Crystal Azul which has been chosen for its durability, high-quality finish and aesthetic suitability for its surroundings in the Square. It will be a considerable improvement on the concrete flagstones which previously paved the Square.
To the west of the Square the new water feature is now being built. The reinforced concrete foundations of the water feature are being constructed. Built into the foundations are a large water tank and a control room from which it will be possible to operate the new fountains such as activating the waterfall and adjusting the height of the water jets.
Running along South Parade four concrete bases have been constructed to support the new lighting masts that will illuminate the Square creating a safe and attractive atmosphere.
To the centre of the site a new linear drain has been installed to catch rainfall and the pit foundations for future Christmas trees have been laid. Finally at various locations excavations have been made to lay pipe work to feed the watering points which will be built into the new flower beds and to lay the electrical distribution network which will power future events.
For more information please contact Esme Macauley 0115 915 6617 or 07949 254 604 or visit www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk
START DAY FOR SQUARE WORKS
25 October 2005
The face of Nottingham has begun to change forever because on Monday October 24th the work started to create a new-look Old Market Square - the centrepiece of a vision to reposition Nottingham as a city of stature. The Lord Mayor, Cllr Mohammed Munir, officially started the works by lifting the first slab at 9:00am.
The exciting new plans have been drawn up by award-winning design team Gustafson Porter who have worked on acclaimed projects around the world.
The proposals will see one of the UK’s most important public squares transformed into a space which is more flexible, useable and stylish, as well as being safer and easier to manage and maintain. Its redevelopment will provide the opportunity to improve the calibre of events and entertainment that takes place in the Square and prompts a commitment to a focussed, ongoing maintenance regime.
As well as new water terraces, the removal of walls and steps to create a more accessible space and the use of high-quality materials that improve the look and feel of the Square, proposals include a stunning lighting scheme for the Square and a dynamic line denoting the alignment of the old city walls.
On Saturday 22nd October the City Council held an exhibition in the Old Market Square to provide a further opportunity for members of the public to view the future design and ask questions about the construction programme.
The public exhibition is continuing every afternoon of Monday 24th through to Friday 28th between 1pm and 5pm at the entrance to the Council House where staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions from members of the public.
The first job for the construction company Balfour Beatty will be to put up the fences which will screen off the site. These are expected to take around two weeks to put up, after which, display panels will be mounted onto them to keep the Square looking bright and cheerful throughout the redevelopment.
There are three types of information and decoration going onto the display panels. Along Beastmarket Hill there will be information about Council services such as leisure events and services for education and housing. Along South Parade there will be a display showing the history of Old Market Square throughout the ages. Finally along Long Row there will be a colourful display of all the drawings generated by Nottingham people through the Pride of Nottingham drawing competition. It’s expected all the displays will be up within three weeks of the fences being in place.
City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: "After all the planning and consultation, the time has come to start work on Old Market Square. It’s an immensely exciting development for our city and I’m sure we will all enjoy following the project’s progress keenly over the next year. The City Council will be doing our very best to keep the disruption of building work to a minimum and we’re asking the city’s businesses and residents to bear with us while we strive to deliver an impressive new Square symbolic of our vision for Nottingham."
Funding for the £7m scheme is coming from the East Midlands Development Agency, Greater Nottingham Partnership, the Government Office for the East Midlands and the European Commission. The design has met with general approval from the public during a consultation exercise last year.
All of the businesses and retailers around the Square are open for business usual.
For more information and artist impressions of the Square please contact Esme Macauley 0115 915 6617 or visit www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk
PRIDE OF NOTTINGHAM
11 August 2005
Drawing Competition Launched
What are you proud of about Nottingham?
Here`s what some local celebraties are proud of (Click to download PDF).
On Thursday 11th August Nottingham City Council launched a public competition asking people to draw what makes them proud of the Nottingham area. The drawings generated by the competition will be used to create an exhibition themed ‘Pride of Nottingham’ which will decorate the fences surrounding construction work in Old Market Square.
To kick start the competition local celebrities and community leaders gathered at the Council House to do their own artwork. Getting their crayons out were:
John McGovern, European Cup Wining Captain of Nottingham Forest FC
Carl Froch, Champion Super Middleweight Boxer from Nottingham
Jo & Twiggy, DJ’s from Nottingham’s Radio 96 Trent FM
Joseph Hall, Winner of the BBC’s Strictly Dance Fever from Nottingham
Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling
Anna Ratcliffe, Community Leader from Chasewood Baptist Church, St Ann’s
Robin Hood, our very own man in tights from The Tales of Robin Hood
Mike and Fiona Thornewill, the first couple to walk to the North and South Poles unaided
Karl Cooper, Presenter from BBC Radio Nottingham 95.5 and 103.8 FM
Hilary Sylvester, Chair of Nottingham Civic Society
Paul Moran & Matthew Myers, Nottingham Panthers players
The winners of the public drawing competition will be given the chance to develop their artistic talent with a professional artist and have their masterpiece displayed as part of the exhibition surrounding Old Market Square. The closing date for competition entries is 9th September 2005.
With redevelopment work starting in Old Market Square this September, the construction area needs to be cordoned off by fences. These fences will start to go up from September 19th and should be ready to display the artwork exhibition from mid October 2005 through until November 2006 when construction work is likely to be completed.
Councillor Leon Unczur, the portfolio holder for Culture, Community Services and Tourism, said: “Nottingham has a lot to be proud of and to celebrate this we’re running a drawing competition asking everybody to illustrate the things that make them proud. You could draw Nottingham people, Nottingham places or Nottingham pastimes like shopping, clubbing or sports. Whatever it is you think really makes our part of the world great, we want you to draw it, so that we can display these images in a huge exhibition right in the heart of the city.”
Competition entries should be sent, complete with your name, age, address and telephone number and an explanation of your drawing in no more than 50 words, to: Pride of Nottingham Competition, Nottingham City Council Communications Team, Lawrence House, Talbot Street, Nottingham NG1 5NT. The competition deadline is 9th September 2005.
Round The Square Newsletter
7 June 2005
The first Round The Square meeting was held at Debenhams on May 24th to discuss issues to do with the redevelopment of Old Market Square with businesses in and around the Square. Thank you to Debenhams Manager John Kennett for hosting the event and for those who took part.
We thought it would be useful to feed back to everyone the issues that were discussed at the meeting. At the time of the meeting, tenders had not been sent out and so the contractor had not been appointed – some details were therefore not known.
However, what is known is that the project remains on schedule to start this September and be complete by the end of 2006. The design by Gustafson Porter – the subject of public consultation – has been agreed. Funding has been secured, though final planning approval is awaited from the Government Office for the East Midlands.
The points that formed the main discussion on May 24th:
Hoardings
The proposed position of the hoardings and the site entrance and exit, shown right, have been reached taking into account pedestrian flows, safety issues and the movement of trams and other vehicles in the Square. Hoardings will be erected in September.
It is planned for the hoardings to be coated in a vinyl covering, printed with various non-commercial messages and images, including information about the history and redevelopment of the Old Market Square. There will be three large viewing windows near the Council House and tram stops for people to watch progress.
`Business as usual` signage will be provided, and located to achieve impact for both business and customers. Such signage will be informative, and not promotional.
Site Traffic
Buses using Long Row will be removed to Parliament Street/Milton Street in July/August. Site traffic will enter the Square from Friar Lane, Beastmarket Hill and travel along Long Row to the site entrance near the Queen Street junction. Access for loading will still be available along Long Row. Concerns were expressed about customer flows being affected. Options will be considered to ensure pedestrian safety.
Concerns were expressed about cleanliness of vehicles. There will be a contractual obligation for site lorries to be clean.
It is not envisaged that lorries accessing the site will queue along Long Row and this will be discussed with the contractor on appointment. Clear Zone restrictions may be placed on the timing of some deliveries although some, eg concrete, will be exempt for practical reasons.
The contractor will determine what parking provision, within the worksite, is allowed. No contractor vehicles will be parked in the Square outside the hoardings. Legally enforceable restrictions will be in force to prevent parking.
There will be on obligation for the contractor to manage the entrance and exit of the worksite with site staff, especially with regard to tram movements along South Parade.
Work Programme
The likelihood is that the contractor will start work at the Beastmarket Hill end of the site, where the water feature is to be located, subject to contractor’s decision.
Areas outside the hoardings, eg, Long Row and the Council House front, are likely to be developed towards the end of the programme, subject to contractor’s decision.
Hoarding lines may move / be reduced as work progresses but the Council is keen not to impose too many restrictions on the contractor.
The work will inevitably generate some noise, though this will be monitored by Environmental Health officers and restricted by the sort of machinery allowed on site. Options to reduce the number of generators on site, as well as any capacity for night working, will be explored.
Other Matters
The geotechnical surveys carried out in the Square recently have not produced any surprises but full reports are not yet written. The surveys will determine what sort of rock lies beneath the surface and what sort of foundations are appropriate, especially for the water feature.
The design includes new drainage to cope with occasional torrential rainfall and the drainage will be maintained as part of a new improved maintenance regime for the Square.
Some businesses use the Square as their fire evacuation assembly point. For the duration of the project, the Square will be out of commission for this purpose and businesses are advised to make alternative arrangements and inform staff and customers accordingly. Although the City Council and Fire Service can be consulted, it is the responsibility of each business to make these arrangements.
Options are being explored for the Christmas 2005 period, to include festive decorations around the development site. A separate meeting, to which you will be invited, will be held later to discuss this and other issues about the hoardings and signage.
Beyond this, it was agreed the next useful time for a meeting will be when a contractor has been appointed, in September. We will be back in touch nearer the time to invite you along.
If you have any questions about these points or wish to raise other issues ahead of the next meeting, please contact Stephan Richeux on 915 4682.
For general information about the redevelopment of the Square, visit www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk.
Click here to download the newsletter as a PDF
PRESS RELEASE
6 May 2005
If you spot people abseiling off the Council House next week - don`t panic! They`re checking to see how the building might be cleaned as part of the revamp of the Market Square.
The survey will take place for a week from Monday May 9 and involve a team of trained abseiling engineers carrying out careful assessments of the outside of the building, including the dome.
They will be checking for any cracks or loose masonry which may need attention ahead of any cleaning. Their reports and photographs will also help to establish if and how cleaning is carried out.
It was decided to look into the possibility of cleaning the imposing and significant 1929 building which dominates the Old Market Square, as part of the £7m scheme to redesign the square.
Also starting on Monday a number of holes and trial pits will be dug to investigate what the ground beneath the square is made up of so that new foundations to support the redesign of Market Square can be discovered.
Three deep `bore` holes will be drilled on the site of the new water feature up to 10m under the surface using a drilling rig to obtain rock cores using a spinning barrel and liner. The rock cores will be used to find out the properties and strength of the sandstone. This along with two trial pits, which will take place later in the week and show a greater surface area, will help engineers design suitable foundations for the new water feature.
Three shallower `core` holes of up to four metres will be drilled near to the Council House using a tripod machine with a winch & pulley system to excavate materials which will allow engineers to design the foundations needed for the new paving.
The scheme was given the go-ahead by the City Council`s Development Control Committee in March and funding has been approved by the East Midlands Development Agency, Greater Nottingham Partnership, the Government Office for the East Midlands and the European Commission. Approval is now awaited from the Government Office for the East Midlands so that work can start in September.
The proposals will see one of the UK`s most important public squares transformed into a space which is more flexible, useable and stylish, as well as being safer and easier to manage and maintain. The scheme includes water terraces, the removal of walls and steps to create a more accessible space and a stunning lighting scheme for the rest of the Square.
For more information and artist impressions of the Square please contact Stephan Richeux on 07967 202 540 or visit www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk
Sneak preview of square’s new look
18 April 2005
People in Nottingham will get a sneak preview of what’s in store for the Old Market Square when test areas of new flagstones are laid.
Three different types of granite will be laid in the Old Market Square in the next few weeks.
The aim is to check which one of the materials is best aesthetically, including the appearance of larger-than-standard paving slabs and narrow joints, as well as in terms of slip resistance, how they weather, ease of cleaning and for other technical reasons.
The granite has been chosen for its durability and high-quality finish and suitability for its surroundings in the Square and with the other materials and features in the design. It also has good resistance to water penetration and high load-bearing capacity and is ideal for a space in which a variety of events and markets will be staged. It will be a considerable improvement on the concrete flagstones currently paving the Square. These three granites will form the paving for most of the Square, with other materials used on the water feature and seating terraces.
This Sunday, a 7.2m long by 2.4m wide area in front of the Council House steps will be fenced off and excavated. This will be completed on Monday and concrete poured on Tuesday and left for a week to cure. The sample flagstones will then be laid from Monday April 25 to Wednesday April 27. The area will remain fenced off until May 4, when the real test begins... with thousands of people crossing the test area every day.
Gustafson Porter’s exciting plans for the redesign of the Old Market Square were approved by the City Council’s Development Control Committee last month. Funding for the £7m scheme has been approved by the East Midlands Development Agency, Greater Nottingham Partnership, the Government Office for the East Midlands and the European Commission. Approval is now awaited from the Government Office for the East Midlands so that work can start in September.
The proposals will see one of the UK’s most important public squares transformed into a space which is more flexible, useable and stylish, as well as being safer and easier to manage and maintain. The scheme includes water terraces, the removal of walls and steps to create a more accessible space and a stunning lighting scheme for the rest of the Square.
For more information and artist impressions of the Square please contact Nigel Turpin 0115 915 5479, Stephan Richeux on 0115 915 4682 or visit www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk
Decision Day For Square Designs
22 March 2005
A major milestone is due to be reached this week in developing a new-look Old Market Square - the centrepiece of a vision to reposition Nottingham as a city of stature.
The exciting plans that have been drawn up by award-winning design team Gustafson Porter, who have worked on acclaimed projects around the world, are to be considered this Thursday (March 24) by the City Council’s Development Control Committee. This is one of the last major hurdles before work can start – hopefully this September.
Already, funding for the £7m scheme has been approved by the East Midlands Development Agency, Greater Nottingham Partnership, the Government Office for the East Midlands and the European Commission. And many major local stakeholders have also given their support to the scheme.
The proposals will see one of the UK’s most important public squares transformed into a space which is more flexible, useable and stylish, as well as being safer and easier to manage and maintain. Its redevelopment will provide the opportunity to improve the calibre of events and entertainment that takes place in the Square and prompts a commitment to a focussed, ongoing maintenance regime.
City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: “These plans make the Square a destination in its own right again and give it a more diverse appeal in terms of the sorts of events we can stage and as an evening venue. Together with wider plans including managing the night-time economy and improving the urban environment, the redevelopment of the Old Market Square is central to and symbolic of our vision for Nottingham.”
As well as new water terraces, the removal of walls and steps to create a more accessible space and the use of high-quality materials that improve the look and feel of the Square, proposals include the cleaning and lighting of the Council House façade, a stunning lighting scheme for the rest of the Square, an under-lit glass strip denoting the alignment of the old city walls and a ‘ribbon of light’ piece of public art. The Arts Council East Midlands is involved in securing sponsorship for this special feature. There has also been initial support for plans to light surrounding buildings from their owners and occupiers.
The design has met with general approval from the public during a consultation exercise last year and was given approval in principle from the Full Council. If Development Control Committee approval is granted on Thursday, it is hoped this decision will be ratified by the Government Office for the East Midlands by early summer, allowing proposed materials to be tested in some areas of the Square in the forthcoming months and construction to get underway in September 2005.
For more information and artist impressions of the Square please contact Nigel Turpin: 0115 915 5479, Stephen Barker: 0115 915 6505 or visit www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk
Last Chance To Have Your Say On The Plans For Old Market Square
13 December 2004
The planning application for the redevelopment of Old Market Square in Nottingham is submitted to the City Council today (10 December 2004).
Since the public consultation during October this year, which showed strong support for the proposals, the Gustafson Porter Design Team has been developing the design in preparation for submission to the City Council today.
The plans can be viewed and commented on either by visiting the interactive and electronic planning service at www.plan4nottingham.com and entering the application number: 04/02759/NFUL3, or by visiting City Development Exchange Buildings North (2nd floor reception) Smithy Row Nottingham, between the hours of 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday (holidays excepted).
The application will need to be discussed and agreed in principle by full Council, and approved by English Heritage and other statutory bodies, before the planning permission could be granted by the City Council’s Development Control Committee in February 2005.
If approval is granted and funding acquired, some advanced works could take place before the school summer holiday break, to minimise disruption, with the main construction works scheduled to begin in September 2005.
Jon Collins, Leader of the City Council said: “When we launched the Square One competition we were clear that any decision to change Old Market Square would be made by Full Council. The competition has been successful in generating a new design that has gone down well with the majority of people during consultation and that has evolved as a result of that consultation. Now that a Planning Application has been received the proposals will be thoroughly reviewed and I look forward to a lively debate at Full Council in January.”
-ENDS-
For more information, images of the model or artist impressions of the Square please contact
Emma Drake on t: 07733 330 358 or Stephen Barker on t: 07957 163 449
New Design For Old Market Square Wins Again
16 November 2004
Following an extensive public consultation exercise by Nottingham City Council during October, more than two thirds (67 per cent) of the hundreds of people who commented on the design proposals, decided that the details and features in the new-look Old Market Square were still the best.
Members of the public and more than one hundred stakeholders including National bodies, community groups and local Business Ambassadors had the opportunity to view the scale model, learn about the proposals and comment on the details. In particular the positive comments raised were in support of; accessibility in and around the new space that would be created, new amenities including cafés, recognition of the need for modernised toilet facilities in the City Centre, plus the welcome addition of trees that would be planted.
The results also highlighted some areas where the design could be improved. These included some concerns over; anti-social behaviour, maintenance and interaction with the water feature, and the desire to keep more of the existing features such as the fountain, but integrate them within the new design.
Jon Collins, Leader of the City Council said: “It’s great news that so many people visited the exhibition to let us know what they think of the proposed design. Strong support for the design is encouraging. We will be looking in more detail at people’s comments and feeding them into the design process. The public will get another chance to comment when a planning application comes to the Council in the New Year.”
Further Design Details Revealed
15 October 2004
From 16th - 22nd October the City Council will be holding a public consultation exhibition in the Broadmarsh Centre, Nottingham, providing a further opportunity for the public to have a say in the future design of Nottingham’s signature public space, Old Market Square.
Since winning Square One, the international design competition, the Gustafson Porter design team, widely known for their work on pieces such as the Diana Memorial, has been developing the winning design, the proposed details of which are included in the exhibition.
The exhibition will provide an opportunity to look at the scale model of the proposed new Square, learn about the different elements of the design in more detail, and fill in a feedback card. A number of elements raised in the initial consultation stage to determine the winning design have been included in the current plans. These are:
Accessibility - removing obstructions such as ramped level changes, steps and balustrades plus introducing more flat surfaces and seating, will create a more accessible environment for all.
Using the Square - the proposals show a flexible space that can change character, from day to night, from season to season with different events and activities.
Water Features - new water features are great fun and good to look at, plus they can be used in a variety of ways. They can be turned on or off, and can also be drained to create seating areas for events and performances.
Safety - The proposed design is intended to help the Square become active and safe even when empty and when full of people, appear spacious and calm.
Jon Collins, Leader of the City Council said: “I think the winning design is classy and classic and not something too trendy that won’t stand the test of time. But it’s not just my view that counts, the people of Nottingham’s views are the most important as they will all use the space for years to come. I encourage people to come and have a look and let us know what they think. Plus there is a model of what the finished Square would look like which really helps to understand the design.”
For more information, images of the model or artist impressions of the Square please contact Emma Drake on: 07733 330358 or Stephen Barker on 07957 163 449
A SPECIAL INVITATION TO VIEW THE WINNING DESIGN DETAILS
‘DROP IN’ ON TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER BETWEEN 6PM & 7.30PM, FIRST FLOOR OF THE BROADMARSH CENTRE FOR A LIGHT REFRESHMENT AND A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DESIGN AND VIEW THE MODEL.
Email emma.drake@nottinghamcity.gov.uk if you would like to drop in
ALTERNATIVELY, THE PUBLIC EXHIBITION WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE BROADMARSH CENTRE, DAILY FROM 16TH TO 22ND OCTOBER 2004.
Additional notes:
The international design competition was launched in September 2003 and over 60 first rate Design Teams from Britain, Europe from Britain, Europe and America entered Square One. The Gustafson Porter Design Team was appointed in April 2004 following public consultation and assessment from the Square One Evaluation Panel.
Kathryn Gustafson established her landscape architecture practice in Paris in 1980 working as a sole practitioner and in collaboration with architects, artists and engineers. Neil Porter set up Gustafson Porter in London with Kathryn in 1997 and since then has collaborated on all the design work produced by the practice. Projects they have worked on include:
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park, London
HM Treasury Courtyards, Whitehall, London
Swiss Cottage Open Space, London
Battersea Power Station, London
Westergasfabriek Park, Amsterdam
Great Glass House, Botanical Garden of Wales, Camarthanshire
Garden of Forgiveness, Beirut
If given the go ahead, work would take place during 2005
Winning Vision
28 April 2004
The Gustafson Porter Design Team has now been chosen, unanimously by the Evaluation Panel, as the winner of the Square One international design competition.
Click here to view the competition winner
Shortlisted Design Teams Creative submissions now online
5 March 2004
The new and exciting visions for the redefining the Old Market Square are now available to view on-line. The six new visions are described in the proposals section of this web site.
The creative submissions will also be on public display during March. You can see them and have your say at:
Broadmarsh Centre
11th - 13th March
9.00am - 5.30pm
Victoria Centre
18th - 20th March
9.00am - 5.30pm
The Cornerhouse
22nd - 27th March
During opening hours
Your views are important to us and you can offer these by completing the on-line feedback form (in the proposals section of this website) or by completing the printed form - available at the public display sites.
A winning design will be chosen by the Square One Evaluation Panel in April. The City Council will then make a decision on the future of Old Market Square.
Excellent response to Old Market Square
26 November 2003
Over 60 first rate Design Teams from Britain, Europe and America have expressed a desire to enter Nottingham City Council’s competition to come up with a new design for Old Market Square.
These Design Teams are made up of architects, landscape architects, urban designers, civil, structural and lighting engineers and artists. Many have sought to engage with local artists in preparation for developing their design. Entries have been received from the USA, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Holland and Belgium as well as the UK.
Many of the entrants have strong track records of creating excellent public and civic spaces in major cities in Britain and across the world.
Les Sparks of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment who chairs the City Council’s Evaluation Panel said; “We’re absolutely delighted by the breadth and quality of entrants to this competition. The City Council have always known Old Market Square to be a fantastic public space, CABE think it is one of the most important in Britain and the standard of entries shows that the architecture and design professions agree. We’re very confident that we will be able to shortlist Design Teams who have the ability to create a range of design to excite the people of Nottingham and that can accommodate all of the uses that the Square has.”
Shortlisiting will take place this week – against criteria that include looking at entrants’ records of work in so far as they demonstrate:
design flare, quality and detailing,
implementability and manageabilility,
accommodation of a wide range of uses
understanding on the context of OMS, its ‘Nottinghamness’
Six Design Teams will be invited to attend a stakeholder consultation and briefing day on 6th December and then to submit worked up design during the Spring of next year when there will be extensive public consultation prior to the Evaluation panel recommending a winning design to the City Council who will then consider whether to proceed to implement the design providing funding can be secured.
The shortlisted Design Teams will be announced during next week.
Art at heart
22 September 2003
Artists in the East Midlands have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create work which becomes as much a part of Nottingham life as the Council House lions.
It has been announced that art will be at the heart of Nottingham - and at the heart of plans to transform Old Market Square through international design competition Square One.
Nottingham City Council believe that public art must be an integral part of the successful design and wants local artists to get involved with the Design Teams who are expected to enter.
Artists are being invited to register their interest now on the competition website. Then firms from across the world can then get in touch with the artists whose work best complements their plans for Square One.
Competition Public Art Co-ordinator, Paul Swales said: "Art brings the human touch, as well as creativity and innovation, to make the public realm into a place to be appreciated and enjoyed.
"From street furniture to sculpture, from lighting to water features, artists and craftspeople can add the magic to our public spaces - creating focal points and talking points and stamping an identity on a locality."