Nottingham Central Library

Framework: Consultancy Framework and Construction Framework

Sector: Local Authority

Project Value: £10.5m

Client: Nottingham City Council

Completed: November 2023

“We have worked hard with construction partners to create a state-of-the art facility. It is a library that residents and visitors of all ages will love, but especially children who will be able to enjoy a fantastic collection of books, an immersive audio-visual story telling room and plenty of spaces to enjoy reading and take part in fun activities.”

Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis,

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council

Nottingham Central Library, a vital building of the wider Broadmarsh transformation programme, has been transformed with a magnificent interior fit-out and refurbishment that unites the Nottingham community.

With children and young people at the core of its design, the new library, owned by our shareholder Nottingham City Council, features an immersive storytelling wall and various creative zones for different age groups.

This collaborative project was accelerated by both our Construction and Consultancy frameworks. Perfect Circle provided project management, quantity surveying, principal designer, and NEC supervisor services for Consultancy, delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction and its sister company Overbury through our Construction framework. The project emphasised local engagement, realising over £2 million in social value and directing 60% of expenditure to local SMEs.

The dynamic space also includes an events area that is part of the foyer and public café, art displays, a gaming zone for teenagers, a dedicated children’s library, a teaching space, and a bookable meeting area for 100 people set within a three-level building featuring glass balustrades and a suspended staircase connecting two floors.

The new library in Nottingham is more than just a place for books; it’s a dynamic hub for community connection and learning.

The goal was to transform Nottingham's Broadmarsh into a vibrant cultural hub by repurposing it as a modern Central Library. The client's vision was to create a welcoming, customer-focused space that ensures equal access and a commitment to excellence. Additionally, the project brief outlined the need for diverse arts, cultural, and community services that can be adapted for future needs.

The project is part of the multi-million-pound Broad Marsh regeneration area, which is a key element of the city’s Southside revitalisation programme. This initiative also includes the Nottingham Green Heart, which opened in 2024 and introduced a new green space featuring marsh trees, vibrant shrubs, and wildflowers. The project was procured through the SCAPE framework for Nottingham City Council and was delivered by another of our construction partners, Willmott Dixon.

The project aimed to integrate modern construction methods while honouring Nottingham's lace-making heritage. Selecting materials that reflected the city's history was particularly challenging. Balancing cost-effectiveness with sustainability and creating a design that appealed to various age groups required careful consideration.

Another important factor was designing spaces that tell a story, engaging people of all age groups, from children of younger ages to teenagers. This required careful and thoughtful planning, making collaboration essential. Working with various stakeholders to navigate these challenges within the project's timeframe led to logistical difficulties, which we addressed through detailed planning and adaptable delivery.

The project has prioritised cost-effective, modern techniques and designs, inspiration from Nottingham's lace-making heritage, and utilising carefully selected materials like timber to achieve a natural aesthetic and enhance sustainability.

The new library serves as a hub for community engagement and learning in Nottingham, providing features such as storytelling walls, creative walls, and a dedicated children's area to cater to all age groups.

An important part of this project was the collaboration with both our Construction and Consultancy partners. This was Overbury’s first major project to be procured through our construction framework, which was made possible through collaboration with Morgan Sindall Construction, which is Morgan Sindalls, sister company. We also worked with Perfect Circle, who provided project management, quantity surveyor, principal designer and NEC supervisor services.

Perfect Circle Credit credit Deividas Dargis 2 — Credit: Deividas Dargis

"Working with Overbury to deliver the project through the SCAPE framework allowed us to demonstrate our group capability, and means we can collectively strive to transform local communities and leave meaningful and lasting legacies behind. This new Central Library is a perfect example of us working together to achieve exactly that, and we can’t wait to open its doors and for it to become a cornerstone of the community"

Rob Cant

SCAPE Framework Director, Morgan Sindall Construction