The completion of Nottingham Central Library is a step closer as Morgan Sindall completes interior fit-out work with Overbury
The new Nottingham Central Library will include innovative features, such as an immersive storytelling wall and creative zones tailored to different age groups.
Scheduled to open on November 28, 2023, the library is Overbury’s first major project procured through SCAPE, a public sector procurement authority in the UK.
This was made possible through collaboration with Morgan Sindall Construction; both companies have reinvested in the city, supporting local businesses in Nottingham and the rest of the Midlands.
Prioritising social value
Morgan Sindall set key performance indicators (KPIs) with Overbury and SCAPE, which included delivering £2m in social value, with more than 60% of spending benefiting local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The project also contributed over £62,000 to non-profit organisations.
“Libraries are an important part of local communities and can be a vital lifeline for many people. This building will play a big part in the city’s future as it undergoes large-scale transformation, and it’s been exciting to see the new library take shape. The interiors have really made the building come alive,” said Andrew Wood, managing director at Overbury.
“It’s also important to ensure the library is a welcoming environment for children and young people to help inspire a love of reading and books in future generations. The space has been designed with them in mind and brought to fruition with the help of several local businesses and charitable organisations, delivering real value to the local area,” he added.
The Nottingham Central Library is key to the city’s redevelopment
The Nottingham Central Library project is a part of the City Council’s plan to create a modern hub at the centre of the Broad Marsh redevelopment project. This is a key element of the Southside regeneration, which includes a ‘green heart‘ and a green infrastructure network connecting Nottingham Castle to the Island Quarter.
Morgan Sindall partnered with Pick Everard, FaulknerBrowns architects, Chord M&E consultancy, and Overbury to build a three-level library featuring glass balustrades and a suspended staircase connecting two floors.
The project prioritised cost-effective, modern techniques and drew inspiration from Nottingham’s lace-making heritage, employing carefully chosen materials like timber for a natural and sustainable look.
“Through SCAPE, the new library will be delivered with speed, efficiency, and value for money, and will ensure that a positive, sustainable legacy is created through Morgan Sindall’s ongoing social value initiatives and community engagement,” commented Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE.
“Nottingham City Council’s plan for regenerating the wider Broad Marsh area is redefining how public facilities can be integrated into modern spaces to meet the needs of a changing community, and each project within this is vital to help the city become carbon neutral by 2028,” he concluded.
