Sneinton Square in Nottingham underwent regeneration to transform the former slum and pay-and-display car park into an open community space. The regeneration plan involved redesigning the square, improving lighting and security, and planting an apple orchard to celebrate the site's history. The project cost £6.8 million and created a new public space that connects local neighborhoods and brings community and economic benefits to the area.

1. SNEINTON SQUARE
By: Bassam Shakour &
Kong Yap

2. 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’

3. 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.

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

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

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Unchanged Elements
• The rest of the
market remains in a
poor state.
• Creating mixed
areas of old and
new which provides
an interesting
contrast.

15. 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.

16. Night Scene

17. 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.