Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Nottingham City Council to prepare the Broadmarsh Centre site in the city centre for future development by knocking down the North West section of the existing half-demolished structure.

It comes after Nottingham City Council took control of Broadmarsh last year following the collapse into administration of intu, which was behind the original redevelopment plans. Now the council has secured £8 million from D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership, via the Getting Building Fund, along with a further £4 million from the Transforming Cities Fund, it has appointed Willmott Dixon through SCAPE, the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority, to demolish the remaining North West part of the former shopping centre.

This will see the area from the NCP Arndale Car Park to the current covered right of way connecting Lister Gate and Collin Street demolished, which will enable a new and wider pedestrian street that improves the busy north-south route into the city centre that used by over two million people a year

Nottingham City Council will also use the Getting Building funding to produce a new masterplan to transform the whole of the former Broadmarsh Centre, while a further £4 million from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund will be used to create the new safe and attractive open street between Lister Gate and Collin Street that Willmott Dixon will also deliver.

Councillor David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said:

“The Broadmarsh Centre is one of the largest regeneration areas in any UK city, and presents us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to renew our city centre and our city’s character.

“It makes sense to take this opportunity to start to demolish this part of the shopping centre now rather than try to modernise and rebuild it. This removes part of the barrier the shopping centre created in the city centre and will be far more welcoming to residents, visitors and workers coming in to Nottingham than the current ‘patio doors.’

“This first phase of demolition is the start of our plans to redevelop this area, opening up the city centre and extending the excellent new public open spaces being built on Sussex Street, Collin Street and Carrington Street.”

Nick Heath, director of delivery at Willmott Dixon’s Nottingham office, said:

“Re-imaging the Broadmarsh space will be a critical factor in driving Nottingham’s growth for many years and we are delighted that our skills have been called in to play a part in this crucial next step. As a local business ourselves with an office close to the site, we’ll be ensuring that Nottingham-based businesses benefit from this work as we join forces with Scape to create a bright new future for the city.”

The project has been procured through SCAPE Construction, a direct award framework designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings. Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said:

“The demolition of the remaining Broadmarsh Centre site marks the start of a transformative plan to regenerate the area and breathe new life into its surrounding communities. By accelerating the project through our framework, Nottingham City Council has been able to respond to intu’s collapse and plot a new course for the centre’s future.

“The combined experience of Willmott Dixon and the Council will ensure the area better serves residents and visitors whilst creating value for the local economy.”