Nottingham Venues has been appointed to operate Castle Meadow Central, the iconic Grade II listed building in Nottingham city centre. The building will reopen in early September following a significant two-year refurbishment and will serve as a new destination for conferences, events and flexible working.
It will also be home to a new deli which will be open to the public, offering a range of locally sourced fresh food and 200 Degrees Coffee.
Nottingham Venues, which also operates the East Midlands Conference Centre, Orchard Hotel and Bramleys Restaurant, as well as the Jubilee Hotel and Conferences on the University of Nottingham campus, will operate Castle Meadow Central as the city’s newest location for conferences and events.
With the capability to host events for up to 300 people Castle Meadow Central will become an integral part of the company’s portfolio of venues across Nottingham.
Castle Meadow Central is part of the wider Castle Meadow Campus and is located just a short walk from Nottingham Train station and Castle Wharf on the banks of the Nottingham and Beeston Canal.
Originally completed in 1994, Castle Meadow Central is widely regarded as a landmark of 1990s British architecture. Its distinctive tensile fabric roof, supported by four steel masts, remains a defining feature. The building was one of the first in the UK to achieve the highest possible BREEAM rating and was awarded both a Brick Award and a Concrete Society Certificate of Excellence in the 1990s.
The building has now been adapted for public and commercial use following a two-year renovation. It will offer a variety of flexible spaces, including five meeting rooms and a large central atrium suitable for conferences and larger events.
The ground floor will feature Deli Central, a café open to the public, providing locally sourced food and refreshments in a relaxed setting. The café will also serve the wider business community based at Castle Meadow Campus.
Tom Waldron-Lynch, CEO of Nottingham Venues, said: “Castle Meadow Central is one of the region’s most recognisable buildings. For many years it was home to HMRC, and while people in Nottingham have always known the building, very few have had the opportunity to step inside and experience it.
“That is now changing. We are delighted to be operating this iconic venue and opening it up for meetings, events and public use for the first time.
“Our aim is for Castle Meadow Campus to become a real asset to Nottingham, not just for the businesses based here, but for the wider community. With its unique design, central location and high-quality facilities, we hope it will become a valued part of Nottingham life for years to come.”
The opening will also create new local employment opportunities, with Nottingham Venues recruiting staff across hospitality, events and facilities roles.
