Broadmarsh Centre
More than 1,500 people support petition to 'cancel Broadmarsh development' in favour of green space
The petition set up on June 24 says, "we want Nottingham to be a city to be proud of."
Phoebe RamDigital News Correspondent
A view of the Broadmarsh site in Nottingham City Centre.
A petition which calls for a new 'green jewel in the centre of our city' rather than the completion of the Broadmarsh redevelopment has been set up.
The page set up on the petition site, change.org, has garnered more than 1,500 signatures since it was set up five days ago and has been shared widely on social media.
It comes after the redevelopment of Broadmarsh shopping centre was dealt a devastating blow when its owner, intu, collapsed into adminstration on Friday, June 26.
As well as putting thousands of jobs at risk across the retail sector, for Nottingham, the decision has again thrown into doubt the future of the Broadmarsh centre - a project 20 years in the making.
And now residents are discussing what the city really needs.
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It goes on to say how visitors to Nottingham, described as "a place of tremendous heritage, history and community" have been welcomed by "an ugly shopping centre" although now it's nothing more than a building site.
The petition states the decision to renovate the Broadmarsh was a positive one, but believes another shopping centre "reflects a lack of vision and long term thinking".
It calls for an open, public space and refers to a survey conducted by Nottinghamshire Live where less than 20 percent of people said they wanted work to carry on as it is, while more than half said they would rather the Broadmarsh was flattened to allow a park to be built.
There are still many questions around the next stage of the Broadmarsh plans, although one councillor offered a hint of what could be in store.
Councillor Sam Webster represents the Castle ward and is the portfolio holder for finance, growth and the city centre at Nottingham City Council.
Responding to a suggestion on Twitter to not turn Broadmarsh into a shopping centre, described as a "big box", Mr Webster replied: "Lots of legal issues and the small matter of the ownership of the buildings.
"Can't comment on detail on social media for obvious reasons. I can say though that nobody (I hope) is thinking 'who do we get to build the big box."
The petition adds that "shopping trends are moving away from retail brick and mortar stores" and feels Nottingham's focus should be on its green ambitions to compliment its public transport.
It concludes: "An open, green space in the centre of the city would be the perfect use of this land.
"Not only would it give residents a place for relaxation, but it would give us something to be proud of.
"In economical terms, such a place would make our city an attractive place for tourism and visitors and thus increased investment.
"We urge council leaders to give Nottingham a legacy we can all be proud of. Is a cinema and a bowling alley really the best we can do?
"Let's learn from other cities around the world who have used sustainable and beautiful design and perhaps one day they can learn from us too.
"We want a green jewel in the centre of our city."
To visit the petition, click here.
Intu, which runs 17 shopping centres, including the Broadmarsh and Victoria Centre, previously confirmed it had administrators on standby under its latest contingency plans, as company bosses engaged in critical talks over its £4.5bn debt.
The talks were to determine what happens after the coronavirus pandemic and come after bank lenders agreed a loan waiver on its debts.
But the agreement expired on Friday, June 26 and intu said "insufficient alignment and agreement has been achieved on such terms."
The administration announcement came minutes after the London Stock Exchange suspended shares in the shopping centre owner.
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