Nottingham’s Old Market Square has long been a feature of the city, originally being a public market and the first site of Goose Fair. The current square was designed in the 1920s as a public area adjacent to the newly built Council House.  

In September 2003 Nottingham City Council announced its intention to set up an international competition inviting design-led professional companies or consortia to submit proposals for creating in Old Market Square a public open space “that will be a signature of our future aspirations for Nottingham and for our wider plans for the city’s development”, providing Nottingham with a “high quality square of international significance whilst respecting its local identity, history and importance.” This was part-funded by ERDF.

Over 60 entries were received from design teams in the USA, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Holland and Spain as well as the United Kingdom. After much deliberation the winning design, by Gustafson Porter, was chosen.

More information can be found on the website dedicated to the redesign (address below).

ERDF supported the funding of the development of the new square, which opened in March 2007.

Old Market Square website