SNEINTON SQUARE

By: Bassam Shakour &

Kong Yap

Location & Use

• The site is on Gedling Street, Nottingham. • The square is used for markets, events, gatherings,

performances, festivals and community use. • Also known as a ‘skate spot’

General History • The site was occupied by slums till the 19th century. • General Enclosures Act of 1845 forced the clearance of these slums. • Before the final regeneration plan, the site was being used as a pay

and display car park, and marketplace for the neighbourhood.

View of the site before the final proposal for regeneration in 2011.

Final Plan of Sneinton Square after the regeneration proposal went through in 2011.

Map showing the three Regeneration zones around Nottingham – Eastside, Southside and Waterfront zone.

Proposed Idea for Regeneration

• Goes hand in hand with the redevelopment of the Victoria Baths.

• This is a really important scheme for Nottingham. It is right on the edge of the city and has the potential to connect some of the poorest neighbourhoods within the city, whilst maintaining their own identity. Some of the existing buildings are beyond repair and are at the end of their useful life. But the open space area can be a proper market again. And double a social space.

• Identified as forming the “bridge” between the communities of St Anns and Sneinton to the east, and the City Centre.

Regeneration of Sneinton Sq.

• The Sneinton Market & Eastside Gateway Neighborhood Development Plan by Gehl Architects in July 2008.

• Redesigned by Patel Taylor and Sneinton Baths splendidly rebuilt by Levitate, retaining the Victorian tower.

• Identified as forming the “bridge” between the communities of St Anns and Sneinton to the east, and the City Centre.

• 6.8 million project, funded from the EU Regional Development Fund, East Midlands Development Agency and central government.

New Elements & Improvements

• Transformation into a new public space adjoining the new Victoria Leisure Centre.

• Machan Engineering was contracted to produce bespoke arm rests and backs for granite seats as well as bespoke stainless steel tree grilles and tree guards that would compliment the mainly granite landscape design.

• New lighting scheme introduced and CCTV installed to integrate security and feature lighting.

Unchanged Elements

• The rest of the market remains in a poor state.

• Creating mixed areas of old and new which provides an interesting contrast.

Neville Gabie Orchard

• Managed by the Contemporary Art Society with local curator Jennie Syson.

• Planting of apple trees in the new square for communal use and celebrating its history as a centre for food production and distribution.

Night Scene

Summary

Sneinton Market Square is now a beautiful focal point for the local community and visitors. Machan Engineering is grateful to have been involved in such a prestigious project that has involved local people, artists, traders and local government agencies alike and has seen this former pay and display car park turn into something that citizens of Sneinton can be proud of.