Westfield Broadmarsh

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Westfield Broadmarsh

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image_width = 250
caption =
location = Nottingham, England
opening_date = 1972
developer =
owner = The Westfield Group
number_of_stores = 117 [ [http://www.westfield.com/broadmarsh/ourstores/ Westfield - Our Stores ] ]
number_of_anchors = 5
floor_area = 45,000 m² (484,379ft²)
floors =
website = [http://www.westfield.com/broadmarsh/ westfield.com/broadmarsh]
parking =

Westfield Broadmarsh (Formerly known as The Broadmarsh Shopping Centre) is the southern end shopping centre in Nottingham, England, owned by the Australian company The Westfield Group. The centre has 86 stores and a total retail floor space of 45,000m² (484,379ft²) cite web
title = Westfield Group - Westfield Broadmarsh (Corporate Site)
publisher = The Westfield Group
url = http://westfield.com/corporate/retailer/uk/broadmarsh.html
accessdate = 2006-12-01 ] . The main retailers are Argos, Bhs, Boots, H&M, and TK Maxx with other stores such as JD Sports, Wilkinson, and Ethel Austin. Several market-style stalls are located throughout the Lower Mall.

History

It was built on what was historically boggy ground on the outskirts of the medieval town, hence the name. By the time of construction, the area had badly degenerated. Despite its historic interest, all the buildings were demolished to accommodate the redevelopment. Broadmarsh is also the main bus disembarkation point for visitors to the city, as several bus routes terminate there.

During preparation of the site, many ancient and recent caves and cellars dug into the soft sandstone foundations of the city were rediscovered. Activism from residents and historians allowed the caves to be preserved instead of destroyed, and the City of Caves exhibit beneath the shopping centre is now a major tourist attraction.

The Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, which opened to the public in 1972, was originally intended to be an Arndale Centre, and the associated parking structure – once voted the "ugliest building in Nottingham" – is still known as the Arndale Car Park. Furthermore, the main mall section of the development lacks distinction architecturally. The centre improved with a major cosmetic refurbishment in 1988.

Future

In April 2007, a three-year redevelopment plan was approved. The scheme involves the demolition of much of the centre, the car park, and the adjoining bus terminus. The plan will see the centre's retail floor area expanded to 136,000m² with 400 shops across 3 floors.

Plans for the new centre include arcade cafés and roof-top restaurants with views of the city, a food court with 1,200 seats, a major new public open space surrounded by bars and restaurants with views of Nottingham Castle, a new shopmobility service for the disabled, state-of-the-art transport interchange linking buses and trams with parking and passenger drop-off points. A tram stop integrated within the development for easy access to the shops, an 'airport style' bus station with additional stops and bus priority lanes, and cycle network with cycle storage facilities.

The new centre will come in a street like form. A number of routes will be created around the centre, many of these route will be covered by glass roofs.

The new shopping centre will cost approximately £700m to build.

M&S and Debenhams will anchor the development.

References

External links

* [http://www.westfield.com/broadmarsh/ Official Westfield Broadmarsh Centre Website]
* [http://nottingham.openguides.org/?Broadmarsh_Centre Broadmarsh Centre - The Open Guide to Nottingham]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2499245.stm 2002 BBC News article on the plans for the centre]