By Chris Ware, managing director at Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter 

Successful regeneration is rarely defined only by what is built on a site. Its real impact is measured by the wider economic activity it unlocks across an entire city. 

Research from the Centre for Cities highlights just how powerful this effect can be, with every £1 of investment in regeneration and infrastructure, around £5 of private investment typically follows. This relationship is one of the defining characteristics of successful city transformation projects across the UK. 

Public investment often provides the foundations that make development viable. Improvements to transport, infrastructure, public realm and planning frameworks help create certainty and signal long-term confidence in a place. This encourages businesses, developers and investors to commit their own capital, accelerating growth and increasing the overall value generated by regeneration. 

In Nottingham, and across many UK cities, this multiplier effect is transforming former industrial or underused land into thriving mixed-use districts. The result is not just new buildings, but stronger local economies, new employment opportunities and neighbourhoods where people choose to live, work and spend time. 

Creating a catalyst for wider investment 

This dynamic is particularly relevant for large-scale urban regeneration projects. When a development creates new homes, workplaces, cultural venues and public spaces in a single masterplan, it becomes a catalyst for surrounding investment. 

Mixed-use regeneration plays a crucial role in this process. By bringing together residential, commercial and leisure uses, these developments create consistent footfall throughout the day and evening. This supports local businesses, increases economic resilience and encourages further investment in the surrounding area. 

Regeneration in the context of Nottingham’s growth 

Nottingham is currently undergoing one of the most significant periods of city centre development in its recent history, with more than £4 billion of investment planned or underway across the city. 

Within this wider context, The Island Quarter represents one of the region’s most ambitious regeneration opportunities. The 36-acre brownfield site, once the beating heart of Nottingham’s industrial boom, is being transformed into a new district to live, work and play – building a connected neighbourhood designed to support both city life and economic growth. 

By creating a vibrant mixed-use destination in the heart of the city, we’re helping to contribute to the conditions that attract further investment and reinforce Nottingham’s reputation as a dynamic city that can meet modern needs. 

Building long-term economic resilience 

The long-term value of regeneration is not only measured in construction output or property investment. It is also reflected in stronger local economies, improved employment opportunities and cities that are better equipped to attract talent and innovation. 

This is why developments such as The Island Quarter are designed to deliver more than physical transformation. With an extensive programme of supporting activities delivered with Sneinton Primary School, to Binks Yard having become ingrained in Nottingham’s live events scene, we are creating a place that will remain active and economically resilient for decades. 

As the research demonstrates, regeneration works best when it acts as a catalyst. When public commitment encourages private investment and development is designed with long-term value in mind, the impact can reshape a city’s economic future.

By Chris Ware, managing director at Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter 

With world class universities, strong arts and culture offerings and a growing economy, demand for housing in Nottingham continues to rise. However, meeting this demand is not simply about delivering more homes but about delivering the right types of accommodation in the right places to support balanced and sustainable communities.

Understanding Nottingham’s housing pressures

Housing pressure in Nottingham comes from several directions. The average house price in the city is now around £194,000 (Office for National Statistics, September 2025) while private rents average close to £1,000 per month, which reflects a 7% annual inflation. These rising costs are being felt across the city, particularly by families and those seeking long term stability. 

Nottingham also has one of the largest student populations in the country. There are more than 56,000 full time students, with more than 45,000 requiring accommodation within the city. Over the past decade, almost half of all new residential completions in Nottingham have been student accommodation rather than general housing. At the same time, Nottingham City Council is receiving hundreds of housing applications each month, with more than 11,000 households currently on the waiting list. 

These figures highlight the complexity of Nottingham’s housing challenge. Demand is high, affordability is under strain and family sized homes are often being used in ways that were never intended for long term occupation. 

Putting the purpose in PBSA 

When students and young professionals rely heavily on traditional housing stock, it reduces availability for families and long term residents. As such, we see dedicated student accommodation as a key component to resolve Nottingham’s planning challenges. 

When people move into accommodation that fits their needs and better suits their lifestyle, larger homes are released back into the housing system, enabling family housing to return to its purpose and create more stable neighbourhoods. It is an approach that Nottingham City Council recognises through its Student Living Strategy 2023-2028, which is aiming to deliver more than 9,000 beds in new purpose-built accommodation in appropriate locations across the city – the biggest outside the capital. 

The Island Quarter is one of the most prominent contributors to this already, with Winfield Court providing 693 beds since it opened in September 2024, with plans approved for a further 394 beds on site. 

Tailored student living 

The Island Quarter is a clear example of how this approach can work in practice. As a 36-acre mixed use development in the heart of Nottingham, the masterplan for the site is to bring together homes, workplaces and leisure spaces within a single destination. This integrated model supports sustainable city centre living and reduces pressure on surrounding residential areas. 

By creating well located accommodation close to employment, education and amenities, The Island Quarter helps reduce the need for family homes to be converted into short term lets. It also makes efficient use of a prominent brownfield site while contributing positively to Nottingham’s wider regeneration. 

A more balanced housing market benefits everyone. Increased availability of appropriate accommodation helps improve access to family homes, supports affordability and reduces overcrowding. It also allows local authorities and housing providers to focus support on those who need it most. 

Rooms for the future 

Nottingham’s future depends on thoughtful and inclusive growth. By investing in developments that deliver the right accommodation in the right places, we can support long term community stability and create a more resilient housing market. 

The Island Quarter represents our commitment to Nottingham and to development that works for the whole city, today and for generations to come. 

By Chris Ware, managing director at Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter 

Urban regeneration has the power to transform overlooked or under-used spaces into vibrant, sustainable corners that can have a make full impact on a city’s economic, social, and cultural life.

At The Island Quarter, regeneration is at the heart of our vision, yet successful regeneration takes far more than new buildings or refreshed streetscapes. It requires a long-term, collaborative strategy with people, place, and purpose at its core. So what exactly makes an urban regeneration project thrive, and how can we ensure that The Island Quarter is truly ‘of Nottingham, for Nottingham’.  

A clear vision rooted in local identity 

Every great regeneration project starts with a strong sense of place. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, successful developments look closely at a city’s heritage, its character, and how people actually move through and use the space. These are all considerations that feed into creating a masterplan that feels authentic and connected. At its best, regeneration doesn’t erase history, it builds on it, repurposing industrial, cultural, or architectural assets into something new that still feels familiar. A grounded, long-term vision helps attract investment and generate community support even as individual phases evolve. 

Community engagement from day one 

It is integral to integrate local people and ensure organisations are the heartbeat of plans for a regeneration scheme, with their needs, aspirations, and concerns shaping the project throughout its lifecycle. Regular engagement, transparent communication, and opportunities for residents and businesses to have a genuine say create trust and ensure the development enhances everyday life rather than disrupting it. 

The most successful regeneration projects grow organically with their communities, not in isolation from them. 

Mixing uses 

Vibrant quarters are rarely built around a single function but instead thrive when they blend living, working, leisure, culture, and green space in a way that feels seamless. Mixed-use masterplans encourage footfall, support local businesses, and make neighbourhoods feel safer and more welcoming. 

They also reflect the evolving behaviours of how people live today. Short commutes, access to amenities, flexible workspaces, and places to meet, eat, and unwind. 

High-quality public realm and green space

Regeneration should consider the spaces between places as much as the buildings themselves. 

Public realm design plays a huge role in how people experience places. Wide walkways, open plazas, landscaping, water features, cycling routes, lighting, and seating all contribute to creating a sense of comfort, safety and belonging. 

Green spaces deliver environmental benefits while offering much-needed breathing room. These pockets of space are often underappreciated in how they influence how people enjoy spending time in a location. 

Integrating sustainability into every decision 

Modern regeneration demands a future-focused approach and at The Island Quarter we’ve made it our mission to always consider how the site may function in ten, 20 and even 50 years’ time. 

Energy-efficient buildings, low-carbon transport connections, waste-reduction strategies, biodiversity improvements, and long-lasting materials are just some of the factors that can already be felt on site. 

Deep-rooted partnerships and long-term stewardship 

Large-scale regeneration succeeds when public and private partners work together. Collaboration between local authorities, developers, investors, and community organisations ensures each phase is delivered with shared goals and accountability. 

Importantly, success doesn’t end at completion, ongoing stewardship ensures that a site can continue to thrive, adapt and maintain its quality. 

Urban regeneration is most transformative when more than just the physical environment evolves. It creates opportunity, fosters pride, strengthens communities, and shapes the future of a city. 

And that continues to be the case as we approach the next phases at The Island Quarter, guiding everything we do as we bring new life to a historic area at the heart of Nottingham. 

What makes a site truly mixed-use? How important is the role of meanwhile use in achieving this on a large scale, and what role does community engagement play in overall success? 

Christopher Ware, managing director at Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter (TIQ), recently joined a panel at London Build 2025 to discuss ‘Under one roof: creating flexible mixed-use spaces for work, live and play’ and explored what this meant in reality at TIQ. 

The role of meanwhile versus permanent use 

Meanwhile uses are valuable for activating a site early, generating interest, and starting to build footfall. When it comes to generating a masterplan for a mixed-use development, where there are a complex mix of intended outcomes, it’s often the case that some meanwhile use is inevitable to make the plans viable and gain early public backing.

However, there’s also a real benefit in establishing a permanent space from the outset, something that can grow with the wider development and set the tone or benchmark for what’s coming next. The ideal scenario is a mix – meanwhile activity to keep things lively and flexible, alongside a permanent anchor that provides continuity and identity.

Importance of stakeholder involvement

For The Island Quarter, stakeholder engagement is, and always has been, essential. We took a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the initial engagement activity, bringing partners, local authorities, and community groups onboard early in the process.

It’s a site that people have a real interest in and want to see developed for the benefit of the region, so we know how it is to bring people on that journey with us.

Our initial stakeholder engagement helped shape the vision, smooth the planning pathway, and ensure the meanwhile and permanent plans aligned with wider expectations and needs. To date, we’ve engaged more than 150 individuals across 13 sessions, representing more than 45 organisations closely affiliated with communities across Nottingham.

Striking the balance with commercial viability

The focus should always be on what will encourage people to return repeatedly, not just visit once. A strong programme is key to this at mixed-use sites as it allowed people to invest in a variety of offerings not just recongise a space for one thing – that’s how it becomes commercially viable.

We’ve found that seasonal attractions like Christmas markets, summer concerts and aligning with big sporting events have proven very effective at The Island Quarter. The goal is to create a place people naturally think of for food, entertainment, and socialising, not just one occasion.

Commercial viability also comes from investing in your local audience. Our team is integrated into the Nottingham and wider East Midlands community, so they can provide an offering that’s actually wanted. We’ve worked hard to understand local behaviours, market gaps, and what will genuinely resonate with audiences. At The Island Quarter, the success has come from delivering something distinctive compared with other Nottingham venues, giving people a real reason to choose the site.

However, feasibility is equally important. A recurring challenge is aligning operational needs with the ambition for events and activity on the site. It’s about choosing the right events for the right audiences and making sure they’re viable from a staffing, logistics, and commercial perspective. There’s always a balance to strike between maximising revenue and doing what’s best for the community, brand, and long-term vision for the site. Finding that “sweet spot” is an ongoing learning process.

Gaining traction as a mixed-use location 

For the Island Quarter, most external organisations now approach the team directly, which shows the site’s growing reputation. However, this wasn’t the case at the beginning. The early events were harder to secure and there was more proactive outreach involved. As momentum grew and successful events built credibility, more well-known partners and organisers started coming forward.

This is a place we’ve worked hard to get to at The Island Quarter, but it’s not easy to build your credibility as a mixed-use location. Consistency, delivering what you’ve said you will and constant community engagement are essential.

Succeeding as a mixed-use development is challenging but with the right input from the community you’re wanting to engage, a flexible approach to space use and a balance of ambition versus feasibility, it is possible to create a thriving community to live, work and play.

What makes a site truly mixed-use? How important is the role of meanwhile use in achieving this on a large scale, and what role does community engagement play in overall success? 

Christopher Ware, managing director at Conygar, the developer behind The Island Quarter (TIQ), recently joined a panel at London Build 2025 to discuss ‘Under one roof: creating flexible mixed-use spaces for work, live and play’ and explored what this meant in reality at TIQ. 

The role of meanwhile versus permanent use 

Meanwhile uses are valuable for activating a site early, generating interest, and starting to build footfall. When it comes to generating a masterplan for a mixed-use development, where there are a complex mix of intended outcomes, it’s often the case that some meanwhile use is inevitable to make the plans viable and gain early public backing.

However, there’s also a real benefit in establishing a permanent space from the outset, something that can grow with the wider development and set the tone or benchmark for what’s coming next. The ideal scenario is a mix – meanwhile activity to keep things lively and flexible, alongside a permanent anchor that provides continuity and identity.

Importance of stakeholder involvement

For The Island Quarter, stakeholder engagement is, and always has been, essential. We took a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the initial engagement activity, bringing partners, local authorities, and community groups onboard early in the process.

It’s a site that people have a real interest in and want to see developed for the benefit of the region, so we know how it is to bring people on that journey with us.

Our initial stakeholder engagement helped shape the vision, smooth the planning pathway, and ensure the meanwhile and permanent plans aligned with wider expectations and needs. To date, we’ve engaged more than 150 individuals across 13 sessions, representing more than 45 organisations closely affiliated with communities across Nottingham.

Striking the balance with commercial viability

The focus should always be on what will encourage people to return repeatedly, not just visit once. A strong programme is key to this at mixed-use sites as it allowed people to invest in a variety of offerings not just recongise a space for one thing – that’s how it becomes commercially viable.

We’ve found that seasonal attractions like Christmas markets, summer concerts and aligning with big sporting events have proven very effective at The Island Quarter. The goal is to create a place people naturally think of for food, entertainment, and socialising, not just one occasion.

Commercial viability also comes from investing in your local audience. Our team is integrated into the Nottingham and wider East Midlands community, so they can provide an offering that’s actually wanted. We’ve worked hard to understand local behaviours, market gaps, and what will genuinely resonate with audiences. At The Island Quarter, the success has come from delivering something distinctive compared with other Nottingham venues, giving people a real reason to choose the site.

However, feasibility is equally important. A recurring challenge is aligning operational needs with the ambition for events and activity on the site. It’s about choosing the right events for the right audiences and making sure they’re viable from a staffing, logistics, and commercial perspective. There’s always a balance to strike between maximising revenue and doing what’s best for the community, brand, and long-term vision for the site. Finding that “sweet spot” is an ongoing learning process.

Gaining traction as a mixed-use location 

For the Island Quarter, most external organisations now approach the team directly, which shows the site’s growing reputation. However, this wasn’t the case at the beginning. The early events were harder to secure and there was more proactive outreach involved. As momentum grew and successful events built credibility, more well-known partners and organisers started coming forward.

This is a place we’ve worked hard to get to at The Island Quarter, but it’s not easy to build your credibility as a mixed-use location. Consistency, delivering what you’ve said you will and constant community engagement are essential.

Succeeding as a mixed-use development is challenging but with the right input from the community you’re wanting to engage, a flexible approach to space use and a balance of ambition versus feasibility, it is possible to create a thriving community to live, work and play.

At its core, successful long-term regeneration should build meaningful connections, opportunities for the community and pride that lasts for generations. That’s why our partnership with Sneinton C of E Primary School, just a short walk from our site, has become one of the most rewarding and meaningful aspects of our journey so far. 

Sowing the seeds 

From the earliest days of our project, we wanted local people to feel that The Island Quarter was their space. Our relationship with Sneinton Primary began when we invited pupils to quite literally leave their mark on the future of Nottingham through each creating a handprint clay tile. 

This simple idea was about helping children see themselves as part of the story as they grow alongside the site. The pupils also planted wildflower seeds and buried a time capsule on site, creating a living legacy within the landscape we’re building. 

Learning and opportunity  

Since then, our relationship has blossomed. We’ve supported through fundraising and direct contributions – including £1,500 to help fund a new pupil leadership room and earlier, the donation of iPads to support learning during the pandemic. 

For the past two years we’ve marked our connection with hosting the school’s annual Christmas pilgrimage at Upstairs at Cleaver & Wake – a much-loved event that sees children and teachers journey from the school to our site to celebrate the nativity and get the chance to perform songs together.   

Hearing the pupils perform on our stage, encouraged by their teachers and support staff, reminded us on the importance of creating moments of joy, pride and belonging – the kind of experiences that bring new places to life. 

Celebrating local voices 

We’ve also welcomed pupils to share their own poetry inspired by their vision of The Island Quarter 20 years from now. The children proudly read poems on the Binks Yard stage imagining what the area could become – vibrant, inclusive, full of life. 

This opportunity reflects how Binks Yard is becoming more than a venue but a public space where Nottingham’s voices can be heard. By hosting events like these, we hope to show young people that their ideas and creativity are central to the city’s story. 

Why partnerships like this matter 

Urban regeneration only succeeds when it is rooted in trust and shared purpose. Working with Sneinton Primary gives us the chance to engage directly with the next generation, to listen and learn, and to ensure our development reflects the community around it.   

For us, this partnership demonstrates how regeneration can deliver real social value, supporting education, encouraging creativity, and creating spaces that feel welcoming and inclusive. Every poem written, every handprint made and every Christmas song sung at Binks Yard has already helped to build a living connection between The Island Quarter and the city we’re proud to be part of. 

The Island Quarter site is one of the most important sites in Nottingham’s industrial history. Its journey is continuing as Conygar continues to progress the latest chapter of development on the site, yet it began rising to prominence two hundred years prior. 

Where it all began 

A stone’s throw away from Nottingham’s famous Lace Market area, The Island Quarter site also became a hub of enterprise as the home to lace-makers, cotton traders and drug companies. The most famous of all to have its home on the site was The Boots Drug, co-founded by John Boot and expanded by his son, Jesse, starting with three rooms in a lace-mill on site.   

As Jesse Boot began to build the Boots name, he found that the easy access to the canal and London Road railway station allowed for the delivery and dispatching of goods to run smoothly across Nottingham, including to the flagship store on Pelham Street, and beyond, allowing the Boots empire to quickly expand By the 1900s, the site had hundreds of employees and was a hive of industry.  

Developing The Island Quarter 

Although a small-scale operation in comparison to modern day, The Island Quarter quickly became the home to one of England’s largest medicinal manufacturing efforts. 

The Island Quarter site continued to thrive into the 20th century. 1905 saw the James Alexander warehouse built, covering 10.5 hectares with other warehouses to meet the growing manufacturing demands of Jesse Boot’s empire at the time. The James Alexander warehouse still stands today, and as one of the heritage buildings we have on site, it is a key part of the area’s regeneration.  

As the industrial revolution continued to take hold of Europe, The Boots Drug Co. refused to be left behind. The company’s first ever steam-driven vehicle was purchased in 1913 for use in the city of Nottingham and supported its expansion. This was not only a modern development for the area at the time, but for the whole of Nottingham. Once again proving how the development of the site has continued to support and boost the local economy.  

With the outbreak of the first World War, Boots worked to quickly establish a chemical manufacturing building at Island Street, to help fill the gap left by the halting of supplies from Germany. From here the Boots team was able to develop a new analytical product manufacturing process, becoming a vital hub for supplying medical supplies, including the “purest” aspirin on the market. 

The present-day Island Quarter 

As Boots consolidated its operations at the factory site in Beeston, Nottingham City Council acquired the site in 1994 before selling to developer Simons, with the land was labelled for redevelopment as part of the City Challenge outlined by Prime Minister John Major. This included overzealous proposals of a World Trade Centre of the early 1990s – with luxury boats on the Nottingham Canal – which did not come to fruition. 

Many further false dawns would mean the site remained derelict for several years to come. 2011 marked another significant failure in ambitious planning applications, with Tesco’s failed attempt to build the largest supermarket in the East Midlands. 

After many impasses on plans with developers, developer Conygar purchased the site in 2016 and outlined its commitment to delivering a place ‘of Nottingham for Nottingham’ that continues the city’s enduring ambition for innovation. 

Recognising the potential for a mixed-use development that could blend the city’s historical charm with modern amenities, Conygar secured outline planning approval in 2019, first leading to the construction of restaurant venue 1 The Island Quarter. Opening its doors in September 2022, this ended more than a quarter of a century of dereliction. 

Echoes of industry of the past remain on the site to this day. Grade II listed Great Northern Warehouse, which was badly damaged by fire in 1998, is now little more than a shell propped up by scaffolding, while the James Alexander Warehouse remains reasonably intact. Conygar has ambitions to return these to a usable state with a renewed purpose, maintaining the historical features in the process. 

With restaurant and events venue 1 The Island Quarter and student accommodation Winfield Court setting the tone for further development to come, Conygar aims to recapture the spirit of The Island Quarter that has endeared it to the hearts and minds of the Nottingham people from its proud industrial past. 

If you’re wanting to learn more about The Island Quarter in Nottingham then reach out to our team today. 

If you’d like to learn about The Island Quarter, please get in touch with our team for further information. 

Nottingham’s The Island Quarter has made a significant move in the canalside venue’s future growth by appointing international operator Rhubarb Hospitality Collection (RHC) to lead Cleaver & Wake, Binks Yard and the associated brands.

A thriving and rapidly growing location in Nottingham’s dining and events scene, the appointment of RHC is a positive step that will support ambitious growth plans for the 1 The Island Quarter venues. From the Royal Albert Hall to Sky Garden and Mamma Mia! The Party, RHC is behind the success of some of the country’s most established food and events spaces and will bring the same flair to Nottingham.

The appointment has been made by Conygar, the investment company behind the 36-acre Island Quarter site.

Christopher Ware, managing director at Conygar, said: “Since launching Binks Yard and Cleaver & Wake in 2022, we have been welcomed to the Nottingham hospitality scene with an incredible reception, which has allowed us to continue to grow and develop. We now have a packed events calendar on the Binks Terrace and are a staple for corporate occasions and weddings at Upstairs at Cleaver & Wake.

“It’s a natural progression for us to elevate our offering by appointing an operator and RHC’s experience is unparalleled. I look forward to working with the team to continue to bring our vision for the wider Island Quarter to life and provide a range of experiences for people in Nottinghamshire and beyond.”

1TIQ guests can expect a seamless transition and will start to see the positive changes in the coming months from the RHC team, to increase and refine the offering across the venues. Having previously turned spaces into music, dance and corporate destinations, including internationally in New York, RHC is ideally placed to support 1TIQ’s future success.

P.B Jacobse, chief executive officer, RHC, said: “We are looking forward to evolving and developing the hospitality offering at Island Quarter, reaffirming it as Nottingham’s premier destination for dining, entertainment and events. We’re delighted to be working with Conygar and the existing team and look forward to announcing some new projects for Island Quarter.”

For students choosing Nottingham as their home during university, The Island Quarter is fast becoming one of the most compelling places to live. Positioned just on the edge of the city centre, it offers a unique balance between city convenience, community living, and campus connectivity, appealing to both UK-based students and those arriving from overseas.

Winfield Court, and the wider Island Quarter, is quietly shaping the way students experience university life in Nottingham. While it offers the expected practical necessities – comfortable rooms, places to study, and modern facilities – what truly sets it apart is how it fits into the broader rhythm of student life in a city like Nottingham.

One of the most important aspects of student accommodation is location. Winfield Court benefits from being within easy walking distance of Nottingham Trent University, while the University of Nottingham is accessible via direct tram and bus routes, both of which are available just minutes from the site. With intentions to roll out a regular bus service for students, this level of connectivity is invaluable, especially for international students navigating a new city and educational system. It’s reassuring to students, their friends and family that they can easily get to lectures without long commutes, late-night buses, or unfamiliar detours.

But The Island Quarter isn’t just a place to sleep and study – it’s part of a wider urban regeneration project that is deliberately designed to foster community and culture. Restaurant and events venues Cleaver & Wake and Binks Yard give a vibrant, modern feel. With outdoor seating and live music offerings, Binks is rapidly becoming one of the go-to informal meeting spots for students looking to unwind after a day of studying. This sort of social infrastructure plays a huge role in how students build friendships and settle into university life – especially for those moving to the UK for the first time.

The social element of student living often goes overlooked in discussions about accommodation, but it’s arguably just as important as any academic resource. Living at The Island Quarter gives students easy access to a social scene that feels safe, varied, and inclusive. Whether it’s grabbing coffee in Sneinton Market, catching a performance at the Motorpoint Area, or simply spending time by the canal, the area encourages a balanced lifestyle.

From shared common areas to quiet corners for working, Winfield Court supports the ebb and flow of student routines. Crucially, it manages to cater to different needs: some might want privacy and quiet, others are looking to connect and collaborate. Having that flexibility in one location is particularly attractive to international students who may not yet have a strong social network in place.

Cultural diversity is another subtle yet significant strength of the area. Nottingham itself is a multicultural city, and The Island Quarter is a place to celebrate. As a space where local and global experiences intersect – whether in food, music, or student communities – it offers a friendly welcome for those who are looking for an enriching and comfortable student environment.

Students today are looking for more than just a roof over their heads – they’re seeking spaces where they can grow, connect, and thrive. The Island Quarter, with Winfield Court as a key part of its future evolution, recognises this shift and responds to it with both practical amenities and a genuine sense of place. In terms of location, atmosphere, and access to both study and social opportunities, it offers exactly what modern students want and need.

For those starting their university journey in Nottingham, The Island Quarter represents more than just a place to stay, it’s becoming a community, and for many, a home.

Our finer dining destination Cleaver & Wake has welcomed a string of new hires within the chef team to drive forward our ambitious approach to modern, elevated dining.  

Michelin-trained chef Lewis Dobson is one of the leading lights to join the ranks as sous chef at Cleaver & Wake, where he’ll be working with our senior sous chef Cameron Spollin and executive chef Lewis Thornhill to support the wider Cleaver & Wake chef team, developing their skills and upholding the restaurant’s high standards. 

Bringing eight years’ experience to the role, Lewis sports impressive credentials, having worked at esteemed Michelin-star restaurants including John’s House in Mountsorrel and Nottingham’s Sat Bains.  

After spending his career honing his skills through regular chef’s table dining experiences, and championing seasonal ingredients, Lewis will be a regular face in our open pass kitchen. He looks forward to working alongside Cameron to give diners an insight into every dish, including how it’s cooked, where it’s sourced and the intricacies of each ingredient. 

Lewis said: “I love all aspects of working with food, including speaking to guests and interacting with customers. Seeing the smile on people’s face as they enjoy their meal is one of the best feelings you can have as a chef. 

“By inviting diners to learn more about their meal, it helps to share the passion that goes into each dish – showcasing a team that doesn’t just cook the food, but really cares about creating something special, and I’m looking forward to helping Cleaver & Wake lean even more into that. In doing so, it helps to add to the overall experience that diners get when they visit, making every meal memorable. 

“I’m joining at an exciting time for the restaurant, and it’s fantastic to be part of such a reputable team that shares the same values that my own experience and food journey has been built on – using the finest ingredients and delighting each guest with every bite.” 

Further new hires within our team include Stacey Hucknall, who joins as chef de partie and Arianna Barbaccia, working as commis chef. 

Cameron Spollin, senior sous chef at Cleaver & Wake, said: “A key part of the Cleaver & Wake experience lies in our incredibly talented team of chefs, who all share a passion for championing great quality produce, creative pairings and exceptional diner experiences.  

“After starting the year off strong with new menu additions, I’m looking forward to working with Lewis and the rest of our team to bring some incredible ideas to life, putting Cleaver & Wake’s own brand of fine dining on the map. 

“Our menu is constantly changing to present the unique ingredients we’re able to source, thanks to our fantastic relationships with British suppliers, so it’s important that we have a close-knit team to foster the creativity that’s required to push this approach forward. With his experience both in the experiential element of dining, as well as working with seasonal ingredients, Lewis brings a lot to the table and will be a brilliant asset to tap into.” 

This year, at Cleaver & Wake we’re continuing with our mission to use the very best seasonal ingredients across our menus. Instead of a complete menu overhaul every few months, we now add select dishes using premium ingredients as they peak, helping to ensure each plate delivers a taste of the season when at its most vibrant. So far this has seen the menu adopt the use of standout ingredients such as Yorkshire’s finest ‘forced rhubarb’, which is nurtured in complete darkness and harvested by candlelight, giving it a uniquely tender texture and a beautifully vivid pink hue. 

Lewis Thornhill executive chef at 1 The Island Quarter, said: “Like every industry, we must respond to changes and trends – our way of doing that at Cleaver & Wake is by ensuring our menu is always moving, led by the very best in British, seasonal ingredients, served when they are in their prime. 

“One thing that will always remain the same, however, is our commitment to quality and the unique experience guests will receive with every visit. Our team of chefs is stronger than ever, and this year we’ll see them shine as we continue to make the most of our open pass kitchen, which perfectly showcases the passion, creativity and quality that’s always guaranteed at Cleaver & Wake.”

Businesses in Nottingham can take advantage of a collection of tailored offers from venues located at The Island Quarter, including Cleaver & Wake and Binks Yard, through a new exclusive membership programme.  

Available through the Island Club app, the Corporate Club initiative allows businesses to make the most of our canalside eateries – located in between Nottingham Station and the bustle of the city centre – at a discounted rate, while earning points that can be spent on future visits.  

 Liam Morgan, business development manager at 1 The Island Quarter, said: “We’re in a prime spot within the city, meaning we’re perfectly placed for local businesses as well as any guests that they may bring to Nottingham. 

 “Since launching in late 2022, we’ve established a great relationship with a wide variety of local businesses. Our corporate event offering includes breakfast meetings, conferences, gala dinners, summer parties and exclusive hire options for up to 2,000 people. The launch of our Corporate Club app rewards local business employees with exclusive offers and discounts throughout the year.”  

 Offers you can expect to see include lunch deals, discounts on large bookings and multi visit promotions. 

 To take full advantage of the offers available through the Corporate Club, companies can request an exclusive code from our sales team at 1, The Island Quarter. This then allows employees to sign up to the Island Club app and unlock the exclusive offers.

 Liam added: “Nottingham has a thriving business community and we’re proud to be doing our bit to support them. This marks a very important step for us as it allows us to give back to the many businesses that make Nottingham such a fantastic place to work, visit or live in.” 

 The Island Club app can be downloaded from the App Store for iPhone users and the Google Play store for Android users. 

 To find out more about The Island Quarter’s Corporate Club, visit https://www.theislandquarter.com/the-island-club or email info@binksyard.com with enquiries.