CREATING A MUSIC DESTINATION
Nottingham’s new-look Market Square, which was recently unveiled after a £7 million refurbishment, could be just what is needed to put the city well and truly on the music map, according to DHP, the premier live music and club operator in the Midlands.
Managing director George Akins believes that the open space the new Square and other areas in the city can provide will put the city in the same league as other Midlands locations when it comes to hosting outdoor events, providing the opportunity to run festivals and other concerts.
He said, “Leicester currently hosts the award-winning Summer Sundae and Lincoln holds its Midsummer Magic festival each summer, but in Nottingham there has not been anything on that scale since the Distortion festival in 2002.
“The Market Square and other areas present a new opportunity for bands to visit the city and play in a unique outdoor setting and this is something we should be shouting about. Nottingham already has a great Arena and some of the best indoor places for catching newer artists and a city of this size shouldn’t be missing out on the opportunities an outdoor concert can bring.”
Bob Chaffin, Arts and Events Manager at Nottingham City Council is equally enthusiastic about the square’s potential: “The success of the range of events we’ve already staged in the new square for the opening celebrations, from theatrical spectaculars and fireworks to a cracking live music weekend, demonstrates just how great a venue Nottingham’s Old Market Square is. The Magic Numbers themselves commented on how fantastic it was to be playing quite literally in the city centre and looking out from the stage over the 10,000 people who came together in the square to see them play must have been quite an experience.
“As well as music events, we’ve got a whole variety of activities scheduled for the rest of the year in the square. From Fine Food Fairs to cultural events and festivals there will be something designed for everyone to enjoy.”
Professor John Heeley, from Experience Nottinghamshire, added, “We’re very excited about the redesigned Square and welcome it wholeheartedly. Old Market Square sits at the heart of our great city and is one of the finest public squares in the UK. It's part and parcel of Nottingham's identity, and is a much loved meeting place for local residents and visitors. In its new form, it provides a wonderful performance space and the events staged there will help us attract visitors and raise the city's profile.”
More than 10,000 people have already taken advantage of the refurbished Market Square space, enjoying headline acts The Magic Numbers, Just Jack and Beverley Knight as part of the re-opening celebrations. DHP played a key role in these events, working as consultants to Nottingham City Council to secure the big names as well as advising on the production and management of the event.
Fresh from that success, the DHP team is now preparing for the third one day Dot to Dot Festival, which takes place in venues across Nottingham and Bristol and this year is set to be the biggest yet. It has a reputation for showcasing bands that go on to become household names – last year The Klaxons and The Automatic both played to sell out crowds.
ENDS
For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood or Kate Downs at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk or kate@edenpr.co.uk
Notes DHP runs Rock City along with The Rescue Rooms, Stealth and The Social which are other smaller music venues around Nottingham City Centre, with a total nightly capacity of 4000 people. DHP is the premier live music and club operator in the Midlands, with more than 500 shows per year in its own venues with club nights five nights per week and two public bars open seven nights a week.