Exciting £2m plan to turn Mansfield's Market Place into events space with garden

The scheme has been announced by Mansfield District Council as part of “streetscaping and landscaping works to enhance the town centre and make it more welcoming for users”.

If approved, the public town garden will sit to the western side of the square, with trees and a new water feature, to replace the disused installations outside the Old Town Hall.

The eastern side of the square would be “a flexible, open space to accommodate market stalls and other events”.

The iconic Bentinck Monument, which dates back to 1849 and is grade II listed, would remain in situ. But improved seating, planting, lighting and information panels would make it more appealing to visitors.

The plan also includes ensuring that the Old Town Hall, another grade II listed structure, continues to be a key focal point within the town centre.

The project has been devised after the council received £20 million from the government’s Community Regeneration Partnerships Fund (formerly known as the Levelling Up Fund) to help revamp the town centre over the next 12 years.

A planning application for the Market Place makeover has just been submitted, with papers stating: “The town centre masterplan, adopted in 2023, recognises the Market Place as the historic heart of Mansfield and envisages it as a contemporary destination for a modern town.

"The key aim is to create an attractive space that will be used throughout the year to accommodate various gatherings and events.

"Improvements will include new stone surfacing, new and improved street furniture, urban play areas, landscaping, planting and refreshed interpretation to help share the story of Mansfield’s past.”

New rain gardens are also proposed, similar to those that have recently been installed by The Court House pub to the south of the Market Place.

The traditional market would continue to operate from Wednesdays to Saturdays. But as part of the council’s “aspiration to grow the evening economy of the Market Place”, it is considering launching a pop-up teepee, or tipi, bar in November and December.

As well as improvements to the square, the Fothergill Watson shop-fronts will be repaired, under the scheme, and restored to boost the appearance of the town centre.

Additional CCTV cameras and a new help-point will be installed in Market Place too as part of the council’s work to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve safety in the town centre.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are bringing forward proposals for a major renovation of the town’s historic Market Place, marking a significant step in improving the look, feel and function of one of Mansfield’s most important public spaces.

"The plan, subject to planning approval, aims to create a more attractive, flexible and welcoming town centre environment that supports Mansfield Market and surrounding retail activity, brings new life to the square and enhances its heritage features.”

The project has been developed after consultation with market traders, the multi-agency Town Centre Operational Group, the Mansfield Forward BID (Business Improvement District) initiative, neighbourhood police officers and the Nottinghamshire Sight Loss Council.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, welcomed the proposal, saying: “The Market Place is an important focal point for our town.

"This investment gives us the opportunity to make it a more attractive, accessible and vibrant space for residents, visitors and local businesses.

"Subject to planning approval, these improvements to the square, the shop-fronts and the additional CCTV will help revitalise the heart of Mansfield while protecting the heritage that makes it so special.”

The council’s planning officers are now considering the proposal and hope to make a decision or recommendation by their deadline date of Friday, July 17.

If it is given the go-ahead, work could start on the makeover well before the end of the calendar year.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/