The 'NEW' Old Market Square,  Nottingham

I will forever regret that I did not record the 'Old' Old Market Square before works started to modernise this important area at the heart of the City of Nottingham.  There has been great controversy over the design of the new look square with many voicing their objections and stating their preference to retain the old square.  Unlike some, I never looked upon old design as anything really special, so have tended to reserve judgement on the new one until it was fully completed.  The new design is certainly radically different, but now that the work is complete it's growing on me and I definitely  think it is an improvement on the old.  I particularly like the water features. As to if it is worth the almost £8 Million that it has cost is of course another question altogether.  What do you think ?   The design of the new square is by architects Gustafson Porter.

The NEW Square was officially opened by HRH The Princess Anne on Tuesday 3rd  April 2007

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It's now well over a year since the NEW Old Market Square was opened and it now appears to be more accepted by the general public and is very well used WHEN the sun shines.  I visited on 15th July 2008 because the 18th was the day judges would inspect Nottingham for the Cities in Bloom competition.  Unfortunately, there was not really anything special to see, so I re-visited again on the 21st but there was no change.  The small side troughs were nicely planted, as were the council house window boxes, but there was no 'riot' of colour and no special features, so I was left rather disappointed. Only The Bell Inn had made a real effort and the only shop displaying any flowers was Debenham's. I don't know what the judges made of it.  Maybe the excellent displays on traffic islands and in the parks will offset this lack of colour in the square?
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The four images below were taken on the 12th December 2007 and show the Old Market Square and the Council House all decked out with decorations for the Christmas festivities.  In front of The Council House is a temporary ice rink that has I believe been fully booked.  Behind this are the stalls of a Christmas Market.  The controversial new water features in the foreground are still going strong and really add to and enhance the festive scene.  For more pictures of the city centre at night - CLICK HERE
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The four images below were taken on the 17th August 2007.  As can be seen all the new water features were working on that date and young and old, but especially the very young, were enjoying them during a rare glimpse of summer sun. Lets hope the technical problems are over. I will leave some of  the old notes and pictures on this page as a historical record of the square's construction problems.
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Whilst on the 24th July The Nottingham Evening Post reported the that the water features were working. In today's issue (31st July) they report that they were again out of action for several days over the weekend. 
The three  images below were taken on the 22nd July 2007
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Just ONE day before the council promised that the water features would be repaired and functioning again and they are still dry. Will they be ready tomorrow ?
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The next six  images below were taken on the 23rd May 2007 - over six  weeks after the official opening date.  As can be seen the public appear to have taken to the new square with many just sitting enjoying the sun.  
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NS00233.JPG (68677 bytes) NS00231.JPG (87035 bytes) REFLECTION POOL NEWS

It has been announced that work will commence next week (18-06-07) to correct the problems with the reflection pool and that these works will be completed on 23rd July 2007.  During this period ALL the fountains will be turned off - a very disappointing show for the summer visitors.
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The next seven images below were taken on the 8th April 2007 - shortly after the official opening date.

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The next twelve images below were taken on the 16th March 2007 - one week before the unofficial opening date.

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The remaining images below were taken on earlier dates during construction.
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