Nottingham is one of England's major cities and the commercial and cultural capital of the East Midlands. Its vibrant, cosmopolitan city centre is a first choice destination for business, shopping, entertainment and nightlife.

Nottingham City Council planners have approved the £10m Lace Market Square development in the centre of the Lace Market Conservation Area which links the Bridlesmith Gate fashion district with the Lace Market and Hockley Village.

Lace Market Square is the latest development in a long line of physical improvements designed to keep Nottingham city centre attractive and competitive.

The contemporary scheme, designed by architects Franklin Ellis, includes two buildings, the first offering retail space at ground floor and five upper floors containing 46 luxury apartments. The second will comprise a two-storey glazed pavilion that is designed to house a high quality restaurant.

At the heart of the development, by local developer Bildurn, is an 11,000 sq ft public square, where people can enjoy al fresco dining or simply relax and enjoy the well-designed environment.

Architect David Franklin commented: "The development will create a much needed public space within the Lace Market. The building seeks to provide a balance between respecting the old and reflecting a modern, forward-thinking ethos."

An outdoor space in the Lace Market has been something Nottingham City Council has wanted for some considerable time, according to Nigel Turpin, leader of the council's city centre and urban design team.

He said: "There is currently no open space in the Lace Market and the council has been keen to create one in this historical area of intensive development. Bildurn has been liasing closely with the council in order to redress the balance."

He added: "In addition, the development has been planned to ensure that the open spaces are safe so that everyone can enjoy them."

Work is expected to start shortly on the Lace Market Development and the scheme will be complete in summer 2006.

The creation of pedestrian-friendly streets sprinkled with pavement café bars, the arrival of the UK's most modern tram system and the transformation of the Lace Market and canalside into stylish residential and commercial quarters have bequeathed 21st century Nottingham a distinct European ambience.

Nottingham-based art and landscape design company Wolfgang and Heron, winners of a Nottingham Lord Mayor's Award for Urban Design, will be designing the public space, which will be surfaced in high quality materials with soft landscaping features, pieces of art and quality outdoor furniture.

Fiona Heron of Wolfgang and Heron said: "It is our aim to create a tranquil haven, reflecting the quality of this valuable space and the buildings around it. We want to create a 'soft' environment in which people can relax.

"We are taking an integrated design approach, creating a 3D sculptural space and surface, in which every element has a meaning as well as a function."

Bildurn director Sean Akins added: "Bildurn is a company which focuses on quality of architecture and we are confident that we will be delivering a first-class development which will truly add something to the environment of the Lace Market for all to enjoy. We have brought together a first class team of designers and architects who know the city well and who will create a striking environment which will become a valued addition to Nottingham's Lace Market."

An estimated £3.5 billion of investment in property, infrastructure and transport is planned over the next five years for the City. Nottingham's signature public space, the Old Market Square, will have a fresh new look by the end of 2006, while the ongoing renewal of the city centre will be complemented by major mixed-use developments in three neighbouring regeneration zones called Eastside, Southside and Waterside.

ENDS

For further PR information regarding Lace Market Square contact Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or contact Kathryn Harrison, Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk

Or Regarding Nottingham contact Tim Baggs, Senior Press Officer, Nottingham City Council Telephone: 0115 915 4659 tim.baggs@nottinghamcity.gov.uk