The Lace Market's long awaited landscaped public square is an important step in to Nottingham City Council's three year programme of increasing the number of accessible public places in the city.

Lace Market Square's 11,000 sq ft piazza is the first open space of its kind in the historic Lace Market area of Nottingham, that features residential and retail space. The open Square will add to the existing 30% of locations in the city centre which boast open access.

From the initial design process, the idea of creating an artistic public space that encompasses innovative design but which is accessible to everyone has been a primary objective for the Square.

Designed by local award-winning landscape architect, Fiona Heron, from Nottingham art and design partnership Wolfgang and Heron, the distinctive approach to 'landscape as art' is the central theme of the Square's design. It also received an investment of £27,000 in the landscape architecture and public art thanks to Arts & Business New Partners grant.

The Lace Market has long been part of Nottingham City Council's plans to create a city of squares, with the recently reopened Old Market Square as its centrepiece and smaller squares such as Trinity Square, Bolero Square, the Playhouse Square and Lace Market Square providing those all-important spaces for public enjoyment dotted around the city centre. The Council granted planning permission for the scheme in 2005. From the start, Fiona has worked closely alongside Paul Day, Access Officer from the City Council's Building Control Section to ensure that the intricate details of the piazza meet specific planning and accessibility requirements.

The perimeter of the piazza will feature three access points from St Mary's Gate via pavement level entrances, marked by artistic bronze infills that give a distinctive finish and complement the square's sculptural metal trees and stainless steel wall hanging.

For relaxation amongst the artistic views, individually designed oak seating will be complemented by grass boundary strips and granite terraces with amber flecked gravel, which is bound to give a firmer service to aid mobility around the square.

Paul Day, of Nottingham City Council, commented: "When undertaking new building works, legislation and related guidance on disabled access now applies, and I am delighted that artistic endeavours such as this, that will provide a unique open space, take such legislation seriously. It certainly will be a significant city landmark to be enjoyed by all."

Fiona Heron adds: "We are proud to be providing a central city landmark that meets local planning requirements. The public square will feature a unique display of landscape architecture and fine art, with the aim of providing an important difference to the public and the way they think about and enjoy outdoor spaces."

For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk