Nottingham’s Broadmarsh shopping centre has stood empty since 2020 after its former operator Intu collapsed into administration. The site is now one of the biggest vacant city centre sites anywhere in the UK
A beloved shopping centre in Nottingham is set to be knocked down and locals brand the move as a “waste of money”.
Nottingham’s Broadmarsh shopping centre has stood empty since 2020 after its former operator Intu collapsed into administration. The site is now one of the biggest vacant city centre sites anywhere in the UK.
The government agency Homes England took ownership of the shopping centre in March 2025, and submitted ambitious plans to demolish the site and build affordable housing.
Homes England has committed to a development that will feature 1,000 homes, up to 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community space, and create around 2,000 full-time jobs. The overall cost of the plan currently sits at £650million.
Nottingham City Council had already cleared parts of the derelict site to build a brand new bus station and car park, improve paths, and create a new “Green Heart” park. But financial struggles forced the council to sell the remaining areas to Homes England.
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According to the council’s website, Nottingham City Council’s planning department will decide on the planning application by May 13.
Demolition work on the remains of the shopping centre frame is set to start this summer. This is set to happen in two stages. First, the centre’s steel frame will need to be pulled down, with the concrete underneath needing to be ripped up. Specialist crews will also need to safely strip out hazardous materials, including asbestos hidden inside the abandoned structure.
Council documents published earlier this month stated the buyer will “begin active works on the project in the short-term” and aims to start construction in 2029-30.
However, not everyone is in support of the project, with locals describing the plan as a “waste of money”. Recently, locals shared their memories from the shopping centre noting that iut it will be “sad” when it is gone.
One person shared on Facebook: “I use to love shopping in broadmarsh with my mum on a friday morning then we use to stop off at wimpy for a burger and chips.”
Another wrote: “Always preferred broadmarsh to vic centre. What a shame it’s all gone, just needed a revamp and some TLC. Lots of memories as a child and teenager! Miss the old Nottingham and market Square.”
A third added: “A shame it’s not there anymore ! Nottingham was such a great city for shopping when I was young!.”
A fourth said it was the “best shopping centre Nottingham ever had” while a fifth added: “So sad that it has been demolished, it’s killed that part of town.” Another said: “They should of left it as it was and just upgraded Broadmarsh like Vic centre. it’s just shell and a mess an eye sore now what will they do to it now so sad.”
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