Shoppers have expressed hope the demolition and redevelopment of a 'potentially dangerous' building could help improve a Nottingham town labelled 'depressing'. The plans aim to construct four shops with eight flats above on land to the rear of 50-53 Main street, Bulwell after demolishing the existing building.
The existing two-story brick building was constructed in around 1875 and has fallen into a state of disrepair. It is believed to have been used as an ancillary building to the main shops on Main Street, more than likely as a workshop and stables with storage above.
The building's developer has said it had not changed much since 1887, resulting in a series of large cracks and uncertainty over its structural safety, with a document labelling it "potentially dangerous". Shoppers in Bulwell welcomed the prospect of the derelict outbuilding being demolished and of the investment into the struggling town centre, which has recently lost a number of shops and big brands.
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Retiree Colin Pike, 71, from Bulwell, said: "We need any sort of development we can get, I've never known Bulwell to be like this, it is so depressing in terms of shops going.
"It is the most bleak I have ever seen it and I've lived here all my life. I would rather sit in my car than be in town now, it's gone downhill.
"It is really terrible, we've lost Boots, Budgetwise, and Argos near to this. Anything that can improve any part of the town is a good thing."
The applicant purchased 50-52 Main Street and the land behind it, where the outbuilding is, in January 2021. The proposed shops would be aimed at local business and independent traders, according to planning documents.
Bill Hunt, 54, from Bulwell, said: "The shops would be good, but we also need something to fill the Argos building. You hear all sorts of rumours about shops leaving and coming to Bulwell.
"There's a lot of shops shutting down, but I think the investment will help as long as people can afford the rents. It really does need knocking down though."
Denis Matthews, 51, a carer from Basford, said: "That building has been there for a long old time and it is showing.
"I think that would be good for the area. Having accommodation above it would be useful as well."
The building is in a poor state of repair and has several severe structural cracks. The building has also been exposed to the elements for at least 23 years, which has caused severe damage to the building timber work, with the developer saying it was "unlikely that any of this is in a structurally sound state".
The majority of the brickwork to the rear elevation is in a very poor state of repair and there is also evidence of "severe structural failings to the masonry" with a large structural crack visible. The building is becoming a target for vandals and anti-social behaviour, according to planning documents.
In a planning document Lacey & Owen Architectural Services Ltd, on behalf of applicant Grant Redfern, said: "It is proposed to develop the land to the rear of 50-52 Main street to extend the current retail zone of the town and to create better links between Holburn Place car park and the Main Street and market square. By demolishing the existing dilapidated structure, it opens up the opportunity for development to the rear of the site, whilst also creating the potential to improve pedestrian links and integrate the Holborn place car park better to the town centre.
"In summary the proposed scheme will remove a potentially dangerous structure, to replace with a scheme which seeks to add real value to the committee and the immediate surroundings of Bulwell town centre." The planning application is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
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