Town centre 'transformation' nearing completion

The square has been redesigned with "much-needed" greenery, the council said

Work to "transform" a town square in Nottinghamshire is nearing completion, a council has said.

The refurbishment of Portland Square in Sutton-in-Ashfield, famed for once having a sundial billed as Europe's largest, is set to finish in the coming weeks.

The square has been redesigned with "much-needed" greenery, new lighting, and seating, Ashfield District Council added.

A new open market will be held on 20 September.

Matthew Relf, the council's executive lead for growth, regeneration, and local planning, said: "The renovation of Portland Square has taken far longer than any of us wanted, but it's almost there, and is looking so much better.

"Our ambition was to create a real focal point for Sutton, bringing some much-needed greenery into our urban environment."

The work, which started in June 2024 and has been funded by the council's £62.6m Towns Deal, will also see increased pavement space installed outside shops.

The project has been hit by delays, with the council previously stating the work would be completed by Christmas 2024.

Then, in March, the authority said the redevelopment would be finished in May.

Derelict land off nearby Fox Street will be "transformed into a flexible outdoor space", creating a pedestrian link from the square to a nearby Asda supermarket.

A new open market, called the Portland Square Food and Makers Market, will run on the first and third Saturday of every month, with the first taking place on 20 September.

The council said there are also plans to relocate the existing Sutton market to the new Fox Street space in the coming weeks.

Relf said additional parking - free for two hours - would be created in the town centre as part of the development.

A sundial, described as the largest in the continent, was removed to make way for the project.