Work to tear down an outdated and ‘dangerous’ section of Arnold’s high street could start in early 2027.
Front Street, which starts near the town’s £4 million Arnold Market Place building and meets at Coppice Road and Cross Street, is due for a revamp.
Gedling Borough Council wants to breathe new life into the street, and its plans to tear down the former Working Men’s Club, which has lain vacant since 2015, and the disused retail units between it and the Blue Monkey pub are now one step closer.
The authority purchased the old club and units a few years ago to make way for its broader transformation project within this section of the town – one that could potentially lead to a new leisure centre, an arts centre including a theatre and cinema, and a library.
Council leader, John Clarke (Lab), signed off on the demolition works around early June 2026. Now, the formal plans to tear down 135-151 Front Street await approval from the authority’s planning team.
Councillor Clarke previously said that the wider plans could “put a bit of pride back” into the area and said his authority would be lobbying the East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, and other potential stakeholders, including the government, for funding to support the revamp.
Speaking on Tuesday (November 3), Cllr Clarke said he has been “frustrated” by the delay in the project.
He said: “I signed off on its demolition months ago now, [we’ve been] waiting on contractors. Everything has been disconnected.
“We’re ready to get it down, which I’ll be most relieved about because I’ve been so frustrated. People have been telling me for two years now [to get it down]… It’s a danger to the public – if somebody got in it and did some damage to it.”
The council has confirmed that demolition is scheduled to start in the new year, following the completion of pre-demolition checks.
Cllr Clarke continued: “The funding package is not together yet… we’ll keep lobbying the mayor.
“It’s been frustrating, like all these things, and people think you can just do it, but you can’t – there’s been some delays in the Party Wall Act. Finally, the green lights come on.
“I think if I can get money for it, from whatever source, it’s going to make an incredible improvement to Arnold… it would be a real improvement and real buzz in the little town of Arnold.
The council’s ‘preferred’ option within the wider project is to create a new open public square off Front Street, with a new leisure centre, arts venue, library and community garden off it.
An alternative option, option A, would involve a new leisure centre, new arts centre and new public square being built, with the library retained and refurbished – this option involves a dentist at the end of Front Street being kept.
Option B would include a new leisure centre and arts venue, with a public square being set further back from Front Street, where the existing library would be retained, along with the dentist and the two retail units next to it.
The council previously said it hoped to receive £10 million in funding for phase one of the project and £30 million for phase two.
A spokesperson for Gedling Borough Council said: “Following the completion of pre-demolition works including the disconnection of utilities, legal agreements, and planning approval, demolition is scheduled to commence in the New Year.
“Plans will then be progressed for meanwhile landscaping works to improve the look and feel of the area, until such time as the Council – or any successor authority – is able to deliver the ambitious plans.”
An East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Gedling Borough Council to explore various opportunities to bring forward viable projects through our Investment Fund and other funding streams.
“Arnold is an important town with strong potential, and we welcome the ambition to enhance and revitalise the area. We will continue to engage with local partners to understand where opportunities for EMCCA’s support may arise.”
