We?ve all been living with coronavirus for more than 20 months. No one ever imagined we?d have to endure a second Christmas of restrictions and I know that it is very easy to become disheartened when we hear talk of Plan B? but I want to urge people in Nottingham to remain strong: please don?t lose heart in the fight against Covid-19. Now is not the time to let down our guard. We have to keep going.

That?s why I am asking you to keep following the rules on Covid. It is the only way to reduce the spread of the virus ? especially with cases of the new variant Omicron now increasing in the city. The new rules are:

• Masks: we?ve already been wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport ? from today, we simply have to make sure we wear them in more indoor venues, such as the cinema, libraries and other indoor entertainment venues. In fact, I would go further and ask you to not just wear a mask where you have to but where it feels right to wear it
• Vaccinations: from next Wednesday you will need a Covid pass to get access to some venues like nightclubs. This will mean downloading the app to show your vaccination status or test results. You can read more here. This helps to reinforce the importance of being vaccinated. Don?t forget, you can still book your Covid jab here.
• Working from home: from Monday, employers will be asking people to work from home where possible. For those who cannot do this, please continue to take steps to stay safe such as maintaining social distance, keeping areas well ventilated, wearing a mask and testing regularly for Covid.

Please also remember to book a PCR test if you have any symptoms of Covid.

We all have to think a little more carefully about our actions and what we can do to take care of each other this winter. You can read more about the new restrictions here.

The new Vision for Broad Marsh unveiled this week has been described as a ?once in many generations? opportunity for Nottingham to lead the way in city centre regeneration following the impacts of Covid-19 and online retailing.

We?ve come a long way in a short period of time since the council took over the site after intu, the owners of the former shopping centre, went into administration in July 2021.

The council established the Greater Broad Marsh Advisory Group to help reimagine the site and commissioned Heatherwick Studio, led by the world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick, and Stories, a leading socially-responsible development company, to work on the creative Vision and advise on how Nottingham can deliver the project.

They have clearly listened to the feedback from the Big Conversation about Broad Marsh, ensuring the Vision provides something for everyone including a substantial green space via a ?green heart?, ?more than 750 homes and 6,000 jobs for local people, use of some of the existing frame to reduce waste and carbon emissions in line with our CN28 ambitions; the re-establishing of old street patterns and enhancement of the caves.

The next stage is to test the new Vision and our ability to realise it. But as we have said all along that this isn?t something the Council can or would want to do on its own. We will continue to work with colleagues on the Advisory Group to develop a masterplan for the space and secure the investment needed from public and private-sector partners.

Find out more here

We?ve shared new plans today for proposed improvements to Bulwell Bus Station, that will create a better and safer environment for passengers.

Funding has been secured from the Government?s Transforming Cities Fund and will enable us to introduce a new, centralised layout for buses, new shelters and canopies, and a better waiting environment.

Before the pandemic, around 1.1 million passenger trips were made every year from the bus station, and more than 600 bus services run through it every day.

Our Transforming Cities programme is about encouraging more low-carbon journeys and sustainable travel, and as part of the plans we?re also looking at how we can power the facilities using renewable energy, and have areas of planting to encourage biodiversity.

We?d welcome views and suggestions, to be submitted before 31 January 2022.

Full details and artist impressions of the proposals can be found here: www.transportnottingham.com/bulwellbusstation

This weekend, pantomime season gets under way with Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Gingerbread Man ready to entertain children and adults alike. Despite the changes to Covid regulations this week, theatres remain open. The Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Playhouse, and Nottingham Lakeside Arts carry the?industry-wide See it Safely mark, so you can feel confident the venue is following the latest government and?performing arts guidance. The popular free event? Bands in the Park is back for Christmas on Sunday afternoon with Hucknall and Linby Brass Band performing Christmas carols and seasonal favourites from 2pm at the famous Arboretum bandstand. Elsewhere, Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop?s Christmas weekends continue?with the craft fair, fun activities for the children, plants and gifts, and fresh Christmas trees on sale. Wollaton Hall?is hosting daytime visits to Santa's Workshop, and at Newstead Abbey?you can enjoy festive Nutcracker-themed tours, the weekend craft fair and afternoon teas.

Nottingham?s Christmas Market continues daily in Old Market Square and at the Igloo Village in Trinity Square. This week has also seen the installation of the nativity scene for advent which will be on display up to Christmas.