The restoration of the Victoria Embankment memorial gardens has been described as a “bonus for the community”. Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage fund, which has donated £1.1 million to the £1.7 million project, the restoration is currently underway. The Memorial Gardens were opened in 1927. In the gardens are sculptures including the War Memorial and a statue of Queen Victoria.
The National Lottery Heritage fund will allow the restoration of the War Memorial, pond, fountains and the Queen Victoria Statue. A new cafe is set to open as part of the project to create a new visitor centre.
While new toilets will be created with better access arrangements - and the restoration will create jobs opportunities for local people in Nottingham. It's hoped the restoration of the gardens will attract tourists.
Speaking at the Victoria Embankment, councillor Audra Wynter, portfolio holder for highways, transport and parks, told Nottinghamshire Live: “The restoration of the war memorial for those who fought in World War One and Two to protect the UK will mean a lot to the city.
“The cafe will be an opportunity to make jobs for local people and as we are concerned about the cost of living, this will help local people and the economy. In terms of tourism, this is a local attraction for visitors and, once the Queen Victoria statue is restored, it will look magnificent to see it transform to its former glory.”
The new Nottinghamshire World War One Centenary Memorial was unveiled in 2019. Councillor Wynter continued and said: “History is very important and a record of history is very important, we’re talking about history for future generations. History isn’t just important for those that are from the UK but those who come to the UK too.
“War memorials are touchstones to our past. Preserving them maintains the link between those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and later generations who benefit from the freedoms for which they fought. War memorials also remind us of the full cost of war so we can hopefully learn the lessons which help us avoid conflict, and further loss, in future.”
Local people who are no stranger to the Victoria Embankment are also happy to see that the restoration underway. Plans for the new cafe have been described as “wonderful”.
Tony Gleadell, 74, who grew up in the area, said he was happy the funding had been awarded for the project. The West Bridgford resident said: “This is my old playground, it’s a nice place to be on a day like today, people need these places. There’s too much of a rush today, places like this help you get in touch with yourself. I think that this [the restoration] is a bonus for the community.”
Leanne Mills, 34, who visits the Embankment regularly, said: “A new cafe would be wonderful, I know there’s one now but it’s a big park.”
Jermey Fenn, senior investment manager for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery players for helping make this happen. This project is really properly addressing the parks repair conservational needs to give the city and the council a fitting and worthwhile memorial.
“This isn’t just about the capital works, there’s work being done to give better accessibility, to train interns in traditional skills and to get local people involved in activities. This is a registered garden so nationally, it’s important as there’s only a few left in the country.
“The restoration will give people an opportunity to understand the memorial side of things and people who served in the forces in the city and the country in the past, it’s all about community cohesion and I hope it brings people together.”
Bonsers, a restoration and conservation company, have cleaned the Queen Victoria Statue and the War Memorial stone. Bonsers are working as a sub-contractor for Lindum. Matthew Turner, the Lindum contracts manager, said: “It’s been really good restoring the cafe, war memorial and Queen Victoria Stature. We’re hoping that everything will be a great asset to the local community, we started on the 28th March and we’re halfway through the work. We’ll hopefully be done by next year. This [project’ has been about attracting more people to use the facilities.”
As part of the project, paths will be improved and flower beds replanted. Plans to improve the toilets have previously been put forward. The female toilets to the northern end of the undercroft, near the gardens, will be cleared of cubicles and turned into a storage area and meeting space. The male toilets to the southern end of the undercroft will also be cleared of the existing cubicles and replaced by an enlarged Accessible toilet and two enlarged unisex cubicles
Currently there is just one toilet at the Embankment to the north near Trent Bridge. The toilet is located next to a separate grand old Victorian toilet block, which has been closed for decades, has the potential to be converted into a bar.
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