Future of former Nottingham matchday pub confirmed years after closure – Nottinghamshire Live

The long-empty Waterfront building on Castle Wharf is set for a new chapter, with plans approved to transform the former pub into a café and co-working hub overlooking Nottingham’s canal.

From canal-side pub to co-working hub

Opened in 1998 as a bar and restaurant, The Waterfront closed its doors in 2023. The property was listed for sale in November 2024 by the Canal & River Trust with a guide price of £600,000. Marketing materials explored multiple possibilities for the site, including offices, apartments, student housing, short-stay accommodation, or a return to hospitality use.

The building has now been sold, with planning permission granted by Nottingham City Council for a new co-working concept. The buyer is understood to be The Cowork Club, which intends to introduce a flexible workspace with hot-desking, private offices, and an on-site café. According to the plans, much of the building had already been stripped back to its shell, and the bulk of the works will take place internally, focusing on layout, services, and fit-out rather than major external alterations.

What to expect inside

The approved scheme will reconfigure the interior to accommodate a range of working styles, from casual drop-in desks to bookable rooms and offices suited to startups, freelancers, and small teams. The café element aims to serve both members and the wider public, making use of the building’s waterside setting and ground-floor visibility.

While detailed opening timelines have not been confirmed publicly, the move signals a shift from traditional hospitality to a hybrid model blending workspace and social space—part of a broader trend in urban centres repurposing well-located leisure venues for flexible work.

Part of a wider Castle Wharf revival

The Waterfront’s reinvention comes amid extensive renewal across the Castle Wharf area. In 2022, plans were approved to convert the historic British Waterways building into residential accommodation, including 95 one and two-bedroom apartments and studios, plus a rooftop extension adding eight more homes. The site has a varied past, having hosted a range of operators over the years, including a large pub, a gym, and a comedy club.

Nearby, the former Nottingham Evening Post and Land Registry building is also being refurbished, contributing to the growing mix of homes, offices, and leisure spaces around the canal and the city centre.

A matchday favourite, reimagined

The Waterfront was previously operated by Marston’s before the brewer handed the venue back to its leaseholder, a decision that ultimately led to its closure. For many, the pub was synonymous with Nottingham Forest matchdays, drawing crowds before and after games. Its new life as a co-working space and café aims to keep the building active and accessible, while reflecting the changing ways people live and work in the city.

With planning approval now in place, the project marks a significant step in repurposing a prominent canal-side site—and adds fresh momentum to the ongoing transformation of Castle Wharf.