Nottingham redevelopment project to create 250 jobs

The £120m redevelopment of the Guildhall in Nottingham will create 250 jobs, TheBusinessDesk.com has learned.

Last Friday (29 November) we broke the news that Ascena will bring a 160-bed four-star hotel to the city which will include a rooftop fine dining restaurant, spa and wedding and conference facilities. This will be known as Guildhall Place South

The remaining part of the site, Guildhall Place North, including the old fire and police stations, are subject to a mixed-use redevelopment which will be announced soon.

The scheme will be submitted for detailed planning over the next few weeks.

John Wilby, project lead for Ascena, said: “We are delighted that this scheme has taken a significant step forward. We will soon be submitting the development for planning and it is likely that all being well, that work will start on site in autumn 2020.

“It is a landmark development for the city and a key destination for people across the East Midlands. The Guildhall is an amazing building and we are naturally delighted to be working the city council.”

There will be sensitive restoration of the Grade II listed Nottingham Guildhall – the city’s former magistrates’ court – and Fire Station House, he added.

Ascena owns and runs a number of luxury hotel and restaurant facilities in Birmingham and the south West, one of which is the Birmingham Michelin starred restaurant Opheem – which is run by Ascena business partner Aktar Islam. Aktar, who is a former winner of The Great British Menu and The F Word, will be running the rooftop restaurant.

The existing courtrooms will be converted to bar and restaurant facilities, retaining many of the original key listed features. There will be a rooftop bar and restaurant to the new build extension incorporating Fire Station House.

Following detailed planning approval, it is likely that work will start on the hotel in autumn 2020.