Planning application to be submitted for the Nottingham Guildhall development

A planning application will soon be submitted for the redevelopment of the Guildhall building in Nottingham into a 160-bedroom, four-star hotel which will be operated by the company Ascena.

The Guildhall redevelopment scheme is estimated to have a total cost of £120M and will feature a rooftop fine-dining restaurant, a spa, wedding facilities, and conference facilities in addition to the aforementioned 160 bedrooms.

Redevelopment works are scheduled to commence, subject to obtaining planning permission, in the autumn of 2020, entailing the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Nottingham Guildhall building, which used to serve as the city’s magistrates court, as well as the neighbouring Fire Station House.

The existing courtrooms, in the Guildhall building, will therefore be sympathetically converted into restaurants and dining areas, modernising the interior yet paying homage to the history of the building, while the aforesaid rooftop dining area will be added to an extension which will incorporate the Fire Station House.

The Guildhall building was constructed in 1887 and was utilised by the Nottingham City Council between 1996 and 2010 before their relocation.

The Project Leader for Ascena, John Wilby stated: “We are delighted that this scheme has taken a significant step forward. We will soon be submitting the development for planning and it is likely that all being well, that work will start on site in autumn 2020.

“It is a landmark development for the city and a key destination for people across the East Midlands. The Guildhall is an amazing building and we are naturally delighted to be working the city council.

“There will be a new lightweight extension to the northern elevation of the existing Guildhall to replace an unsightly latter-day extension.

“We will be utilising high-grade materials and are working closely with our heritage consultant Turley and Historic England to ensure that this listed building is brought back to its former glory.”

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