A CITY-CENTRE off-licence has been stripped of its alcohol licence for three months after being caught selling booze to street drinkers.

Arun's off-licence in Upper Parliament Street has also been told it must never sell beer, lager or cider over 5.5% without permission from the police. Nor can it sell individual cans.

Notts Police asked Nottingham City Council to review the licence held by Freydun Sakhi, describing his off-licence as a "source of alcohol for the street fraternity".

Officers say that the store's licence holder, Freydun Sakhi, has sold alcohol to drunk people – known street drinkers – on at least two occasions, despite warnings.

However, Councillor Brian Grocock, chairman of the licensing panel, which reached its decision this week, said he thought the outcome sent out a "positive message".

He said: "It's fair to say the gentleman in question appeared to be sincere in what he was saying and talking about. It's a very small family business and we're not about to take anybody's livelihood away – but a suspension of licence for three months will be quite a lesson to him and to his family."

He added: "I think the committee was united in the decision, we deliberated at length after the meeting and took consideration of all the documentation, all the verbal evidence.

"Should there be any further allegations or misdemeanours the police or any responsible authority or member of the public can ask for a further review."

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Leona Scurr said: "We reviewed the licence at Arun's store because we had evidence to suggest that they sold alcohol to persons who were intoxicated and hence had breached the conditions of their licence.

"Following a day and a half hearing at the licensing authority, the panel of elected members, on considering all the evidence, determined that the licence should be suspended for a period of three months and applied several additional conditions. "

She added: "We should all do our bit to deter and reduce antisocial behaviour, where possible.

"We believe the licensee was acting irresponsibly in the sale of alcohol to people who were intoxicated and it was leading to increases in nuisance crime."

Mr Sakhi refused to comment.

PLANS to revamp Nottingham Castle will boost Nottingham's economy by £77 million and help create more than 1,300 jobs, it has been claimed.

The details are included in a bid for £15 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund which is needed for a £26 million redevelopment of the castle museum and art gallery.

City councillors are close to submitting the application.

Ted Cantle, chairman of the Castle Working Group, which drew up the plans, said: "It's a very significant first step.

"This is a very big scheme that will transform the castle and create an opportunity to really explore the history of the castle, which I think people have wanted to do for some time.

"It's a huge opportunity to put the castle, Robin Hood and the city's history of rebellion on the map, and for Nottingham to become a destination city."

Mr Cantle said the working group expected a decision from Heritage Lottery Fund in April next year.

In August, the council revealed plans for the castle, including a gallery devoted to Robin Hood and the history of Nottingham, bringing the caves underneath the castle back into use, and a new visitor centre and cafe.

The plan went out to public consultation in September, with residents backing the idea for more access to the caves, improved museum exhibits and extra ways to learn about Robin Hood.

Feedback also revealed 94 per cent of visitors felt they would be more likely to revisit the castle if it was improved.

Councillor Dave Trimble, council portfolio holder for leisure, culture and tourism, said: "Of course, there's still a long way to go before we can turn these plans into reality but this is a really important step along the way.

"The proposals in this bid would enable us to capture the role our iconic castle has played in rebellion and freedom over the past 1,000 years and to bring to life the story of Robin Hood in a way that will create an exciting and fun experience for all the family."

The overall cost of the redevelopment has been estimated at £26 million. The £15 million of Heritage Lottery money would be supplemented by £11 million from the public and private sector.

The detailed bid shows plans to re-establish the mediaeval moat and bridge at the gatehouse entrance and a welcome centre with cafe and shop.

A two-storey extension to the castle for a new Robin Hood attraction is also planned.

The Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard would be revamped, with a new lift linking it to the castle.

The funding bid will be put before the council's executive board for approval on Tuesday, November 20.

Mr Trimble added: "I was excited to see that the caves came out particularly strongly in the public consultation and this gives us an opportunity to showcase this unique part of the city's heritage.

"The ambition to create a world-class visitor attraction at the castle would also bring the additional benefits of regenerating the surrounding area, bringing major investment into our city and creating and sustaining hundreds of jobs."

Bob White, chairman of the World Wide Robin Hood Society, sat on the castle working group. He said: "The main thing is to get the momentum going and submit the Heritage Lottery Fund application.

"What is planned is to try to create something which is going to be a world-class attraction that will live up to the expectations of visitors. This is something which has been a major criticism over the years from people looking to get some sort of experience of the Robin Hood legend at the castle."

It is hoped a multi-million pound revamp of the castle will increase visitor numbers from around 196,000 a year to more than 315,000 by 2025.

It has also been forecast that the project could bring an extra £77 million into the city economy, create nearly 1,500 short-term jobs, and more than 1,300 full-time jobs, both at the castle and across the city during a ten-year period.

If everything goes to plan, work could begin in the next couple of years, with the attraction set to open by 2019.

What do you think about the plans to redevelop Nottingham Castle? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk.

Aspiring models were out to impress today as Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model auditions came to Nottingham.

Hundreds of contestants striving for cat walk stardom attended the show's auditions at The Jurys Inn on Station Street.

The lucky girls who make it through to the TV show will live together for several weeks, where they will take on challenges, photo-shoots and meet with leading figures in the modelling industry.

The best performing contestant will win a lucrative modelling contract as well as earning the title of Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model.

Serena Grataora, 19, of Cedarland Crescent, Nuthall, said she is hopeful her "versatile look" will help her win the contest.

She added: "I've done a little bit of modelling before, and a professional model suggested I should come down and join the competition so I thought I've got nothing to lose and I'll see what happens.

"There are quite a lot of questions to answer and lots of strong competition which makes it a bit scary but I'll remain positive." 

Kasey Robinson, 21, from Arnold, said: "I actually auditioned for it when I was 18 but I didn't think I was ready then.

"I guess I'm getting old for this competition because I'm 22 next month so it is my last chance and modelling has always been something I've wanted to break into.

The shows auditions are just at the preliminary stages but Kasey is confident she will succeed. 

She added: "I think I can say I've got a fair shot at winning, everyone says I should be a model but I am a ridiculously lanky bean so that's got a lot to do with it."

Claire Bradley, the shows assistant producer, is running the auditions and she has been impressed by the City's talent.

She said: "This is the first time we've been to Nottingham so we didn't really know what to expect.

"We know it's important to come to these places but we didn't expect the turnout to be so high.

"I've been pleasantly surprised by the amount of girls that have shown up and there's a lot of talent. There are a lot of tall and beautiful girls which is what we are looking for so it's been very worthwhile."

MORE than 500 students from the University of Nottingham turned up to grill Labour MP David Miliband about a range of topics, from the living wage to House of Lords reform.

Mr Miliband was at the university yesterday as part of a nationwide tour and members of the Students' Union got the chance to raise issues that concerned them.

Matthew Styles, education officer for the union, said he was pleased to see so many people turn out.

He said: "There's a general thought that young people don't and won't engage with politics but we've proven, with 500-plus people turning out for the Q&A, that people are interested.

"I think the more young people feel as if they can raise their concerns, the more people will listen. It's been great to have David Miliband here and discuss issues that matter to us with him."

Among topics were the cost of parking permits for students and concerns about security of international students following the visas row at London Metropolitan University.

Sian Green, accommodation and community officer, said: "It is a concern of ours that students are getting charged for parking permits by the city council and we really don't think it is fair.

Mr Miliband said he didn't think having a charge for students and not other residents was fair and we will continue to push the city council to change the policy."

Nottingham City Council has said it has a duty to help balance the parking needs of students and non-student residents and the charge was in place to make students question their need to take cars with them to university.

During an interview at the university, Mr Miliband said he was keen to support a Living Wage campaign that had been set up by the students.

He said: "It seems right that people fight to ensure the lowest paid at universities and elsewhere earn enough to live on."

He was also drawn on one tricky issue – tuition fees, which were introduced under Labour, with the cap then rising under the coalition Government.

He said: "Students will feel more let down if politicians go back on statements and the last thing we want to do is make promises that cannot be kept."

A NOTTINGHAM coach driver who was caught over the drink-drive limit on a day trip to Alton Towers has been banned from the roads.

Wayne Denny, who worked for Silverdale Tours, was stopped by police in the theme park's car park.

They had been tipped off by someone who spotted him drinking during the day on Saturday, November 3, North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

A breath test revealed 54 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, magistrates were told. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Denny was arrested at the scene, leaving scores of day-trippers stranded.

Alton Towers staff had to arrange alternative transport home for the group.

Denny, 43, of Beckley Road, Broxtowe Estate, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while over the drink-drive limit.

He was banned from the roads for 12 months and fined £265.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £27 victim surcharge.

The trip was organised by members of a social club at a Lenton firm and many staff had taken their families and children on along.

The group had been due to return from the Staffordshire park when police arrested Denny and another driver, who were about to drive the Silverdale Tours coach back to Nottingham.

Speaking to the Post after Denny's arrest, a father-of-two from Bestwood, who was on the trip with his children, aged four and seven, said: "This is one of the most shocking things I can imagine.

"It is incredibly appalling behaviour for anyone, especially coach drivers responsible for the safety of the public."

Staffordshire Police were called to Alton Towers at 8.15pm on November 3 after concerns were raised about the behaviour of the two coach drivers.

The other driver, a 65-year-old man from Derbyshire, was arrested but later released without charge.

After the arrests, Simon Read, transport manager for Silverdale Tours (Nottm) Ltd, of Little Tennis Street South, Sneinton, said: "We operate a zero tolerance towards alcohol and regularly perform random breath tests to eliminate this kind of behaviour."

No-one was available for comment at the company last night.

ONE of Nottingham's favourite sons, ex-boxer Wally Swift, has died aged 76.

Swift, who had 88 professional fights (wining 68), was taken ill at home with a chest infection.

He was rushed to hospital in Birmingham, where he died on Saturday.

Nottingham-born Swift, who worked on the production at Raleigh, became a local hero after winning the British welterweight title at the Ice Rink in only his 10th fight.

He boxed at a packed old ice stadium on 18 occasions and is perhaps best remembered for his blood-and-thunder battles with Brian Curves, Les McAteer and local rival Johnny Pritchett.

He was also good enough to fight for the European crown but was controversially disqualified in the 10th round against Juan Carlos Duran in Birmingham in March 1968.

Swift quit the ring in 1967 after his second fight against McAteer, after suffering bad eye damage.

He later became a successful bookmaker in Knowle. But he retired from the business after suffering a serious back injury in a fall from a ladder.

He later coached his sons, Wally junior and Tony, who both became boxing champions.

He also managed several local boxers like British welterweight champion Del Bryan.

"He took poorly and died peacefully in hospital," said his wife, Sheila. They met in Nottingham and had been married for 50 years.

"They put my dad on an oxygen mask but they said straight away that it didn't look good," said son Tony. "But, typically, he battled on for another 16 hours. He hadn't really been himself since suffering a mini stoke, but it still came as a bit of a shock.

"I suppose 76 is a good age, especially for an ex-boxer."

He said his dad was respected for being fearless.

"He was so passionate about his boxing and his football and always looked for the results of the Nottingham teams on a Saturday night," he said. "He would talk about boxing and football for hours but mention things like politics and religion and he would put the phone down on you."

IN a year when the Olympics has dominated sports headlines, youngsters in Notts have shown they have a bright future in Games to come.

That was evident in the strength of the applications sent in for the sportsperson of the year category.

Basketball player Sadie Russell came out on top, picking up her award last night.

She said: "It's really surprising to actually win the award, I didn't expect it at all.

"I was shocked just to be nominated and have never won anything before."

Great Britain might not have an illustrious past when it comes to basketball, but the 16-year-old, who is 6ft, hopes to change that.

The Nottingham Academy student, of Top Valley, has played for Nottingham Wildcats since she was 12, has represented the East Midlands under-15 squad and since last year has played for the England under-15 development squad.

She is targeting a place at an American college where she can hone her skills and has an eye on a place in the British team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Sadie said: "Basketball is just something I really love. It's a really quick game and the feeling of the adrenaline when you play is really great."

Runner-up Rosie Rudin hopes to bring more swimming glory to Notts following the successes of Becky Adlington.

The 14-year-old Nottingham Girls' High School pupil, of Woodborough, already has a fine record which includes coming fifth in her first senior final at the British Senior National Championships, breaking her own county junior record in the 400m individual medley.

She said: "I was really happy just to be nominated because there are loads of sporty people in Nottingham.

"I feel really proud and want to pursue sport in the future so it's really good to have this recognition."

Eban Straker-Meads, 14, of Lenton, is a growing talent at tennis and table tennis.

He has appeared at national level in both sports and has been described as an "inspiration and role model".

Eban, of Nottingham Emmanuel School, in West Bridgford, also finds time to coach at Dunkirk Primary School.

He said: "I was really happy when I found out I'd been nominated. I don't mind not winning, I'm proud of myself either way."

CITY students have proven without doubt it is possible to beat the odds.

Whether it is overcoming family problems, battling terminal cancer or refusing to be beaten by a growth problem, three teens in particular have triumphed and are an inspiration to all.

Iona Banton, Kris Dunn and Raja Jamsheid gave judges in the Nottingham Post's Student Awards a headache thanks to their incredible achievements in the face of adversity.

Iona, 16, of Corporation Oaks, Mapperley, has experienced major family difficulties over the past decade, including her cousin being murdered, her parents splitting up and having to look after her two younger brothers, one of whom has ADHD.

She also took an overdose after a troubled time in her life.

But she has continued to work hard, gaining top GCSE grades to get into the sixth form at Nottingham Girls' Academy and helping to run dance classes for her peers.

She hopes to achieve her ambition of being a primary school teacher.

At last night's awards, she was named the winner of the beating the odds category and the overall Student of the Year.

After picking up the awards, she said: "I'd read about the others and didn't think I'd be the one. It just feels great.

"I'm only from Aspley, this tiny little area, and hardly anyone knows me. I'm just speechless."

She added: "I wasn't always the best student in school and I had behaviour issues, but my dance teacher Jo Hawley encouraged me to get my maths and English up to scratch."

Life has been equally tough for Kris Dunn. He narrowly missed out on the beating the odds accolade but picked up a special Editor's award.

Kris, 16, of Squire Avenue, Bulwell, was diagnosed with bone cancer in March, months before his GCSE exams.

In spite of having intensive chemotherapy, he managed to find time to study and was rewarded with Cs in English, maths and science.

He also gained a pass in an engineering diploma and scooped a merit in an ICT qualification. He has been told there is no cure for his cancer but he does voluntary work at St Mary's Primary and Nursery School, in Bulwell, and can't wait to pass his driving test. He said: "I carried on with my GCSEs because I was just thinking about the future. I didn't want to give up.

"All I wanted to do was carry on fighting and I just wanted to carry on as normal. I was so glad just to be nominated."

Meanwhile, Raja Jamsheid has been highly courageous.

The 17-year-old, of Alberta Terrace, Sherwood Rise, had dreamed of a footballing career with Manchester United before a growth problem in his right leg robbed him of that hope.

Instead, he turned to coaching at Djanogly City Academy, leading them to success.

He has achieved this in spite of having three major unsuccessful leg operations and having 48 pins inserted in his leg.

He said: "You never hear stories about many people in my situation trying to get far in life, and it's difficult for people with disabilities.

"I said if I can't carry on with a career in the game, then I may as well teach the game."

AN 18-year-old man is due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, charged with the murder of Malakai McKenzie.

Donte Grant, of Susan Drive, in Bulwell, has also been charged with three counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm.

He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Mr McKenzie, 19, died in hospital on April 21 after being shot outside The Hubb pub in Sherwood.

Cameron Cashin, 20, Ijah Lavelle-Moore, 20, and Malcolm Vaughan Francis, 18, all of Basford, have also been charged with murder.

LAWYERS are desperately fighting for a fair trial for a man "with a mental age of seven" who is facing nine years in a Spanish jail.

Andrew Dmytruk, 51, has already been locked up for almost two years without trial after allegedly starting a blaze in a Benidorm hotel.

A trial is now set to take place in Alicante within two weeks but his representatives are concerned that his medical records, showing he is brain damaged after contracting meningitis as a baby, will not be presented to the court.

His mother, Doris O'Brien, also fears for his well-being after he attempted suicide in March.

Mr Dmytruk, of Netherfield, was arrested after the December 2010 fire which destroyed a fourth-floor room.

Thirteen people, mainly British tourists, were treated for smoke inhalation after the Ambassador Playa was evacuated in the early hours of December 21.

Mr Dmytruk appeared at a hearing on Monday at the Provincial Court in Alicante before being returned to prison. His lawyer, Mark Castañer, made a plea for his release from detention, saying he posed no threat of fleeing.

Mr Dmytruk's case has been taken up by the charity Fair Trials International, a lobby group which defends the rights of people facing charges abroad.

It is concerned that Mr Dmytruk has been denied bail on several occasions, largely because he is a foreign national.

Robert Jackman, a spokesman for the charity, said: "It is a sad case. Andrew's Spanish lawyer is concerned the authorities have never really seen the details of his vulnerability, so we are working with a translator to get some of his medical statements translated into Spanish so they can be presented to the court.

"We have always been concerned that Andrew is a vulnerable individual and this has taken so long to come to trial."

Mr Dmytruk is accused of setting fire to a mattress and awnings and chairs at a bar. He is alleged to have been identified by the hotel from CCTV footage.

But his mother says her son was asleep in their second-floor room at the time.

Mr Dmytruk had been celebrating his 50th birthday with Spanish friends and Mrs O'Brien. She left for the hotel at 2am but Dmytruk stayed out and reportedly did not remember returning to their room.

Mr Dmytruk has been on disability benefits for most of his life.

Lawyers have argued he has the mental age of a seven-year-old but the prosecutor has insisted he is fit to stand trial and is seeking a nine-year sentence for arson.

Earlier this year, Mr Dmytruk was found in a pool of blood by a fellow inmate after slashing his throat and wrist.

"He nearly died," said Mrs O'Brien. "It is disgusting. He can't understand why he is in jail and nor can I. He has never harmed anybody, never been in trouble with anybody," said the retired factory supervisor who has been borrowing money from family to fly to Spain to visit her son.

Gedling MP Vernon Coaker said he would take up the case with the Foreign Office today.

He said: "It's a matter of extreme concern and very worrying. Clearly, natural justice would mean that the records should be presented to the court.

"I will take this up with the Foreign Office and ask to look into it to see if there is anything the British Government can do to ensure the records can be presented."

Dr Richard Lansdall-Welfare, consultant psychiatrist for Notts Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "When a person with an IQ level similar to that of a typical seven-year-old is put into that situation, he or she is more likely to suffer from anxiety and low moods."

IF you've ever wondered what a hobbit the size of a building looks like, your day has arrived.

Nottingham's Cineworld, in the Cornerhouse, is getting an IMAX theatre, which combines advanced digital sound and projection with a huge, slightly curved screen to give cinema-goers an experience that seems not just bigger, but more fully immersive.

Equipment for the theatre was yesterday loaded through the Cornerhouse roof. The new theatre will open on December 14.

The first film scheduled to be shown is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is also released in the UK on that day.

Cinema bosses are hoping punters will be dazzled by Hollywood blockbusters shown on screens more similar in size to the Hollywood sign.

"We couldn't be more excited to be bringing this amazing cinema experience to our customers," said Katherine Ogden, Cineworld Nottingham's general manager.

"We can't wait to open this screen in style."

Cineworld has been adding IMAX theatres to several of its cinemas across Britain, although they remain relatively rare. There are about two dozen in the country, a third of which are in the London area. The Cornerhouse IMAX will be the region's first.

"We're very excited to have the only cinema in the East Midlands with an IMAX screen," said Cornerhouse manager Suzanne Green.

"The work to install it is creating a real buzz at the venue and we can't wait for cinemagoers to come to Cineworld Nottingham and experience it. We believe it will be the perfect place to watch this year's Christmas blockbusters."

The IMAX film format has existed for more than four decades – it was created in Canada in the late 1960s – although it has only been in recent years that mainstream films could be converted into it.

For a number of years, IMAX films had to be shot using IMAX equipment and, due to technical restrictions, were typically shorter than conventional films.

Nature documentaries and other films that could take advantage of IMAX's sweeping, panoramic qualities were typically the most popular.

That changed a decade ago with the rise of digital re-mastering technology that allowed conventionally-shot films to be shown in IMAX theatres.

Advances in the technology have also allowed some big-budget films to be shot partly with IMAX cameras.

The Dark Knight, the 2008 Batman film, was the first major studio film to be shot partly with IMAX technology.

The equipment is now being installed in Cineworld Nottingham's Cinema 4.

A NURSE has branded three muggers as "pathetic" after they knocked her off her bike and robbed her as she cycled home.

The 31-year-old had just finished a 12-hour shift at the Queen's Medical Centre when the trio attacked her in Radford Bridge Road, Beechdale, on Monday night.

She was cycling towards the railway bridge at about 11.30pm when she noticed three men ahead of her.

Before she had time to react, one ran up to her and sent her sprawling into the road with a push.

The nurse, who did not want to be identified, said: "I hit the road and skidded along for a couple of metres and came to a stop.

"Then everything happened really fast."

As she lay on the floor, one of the three tried to kick her back, but hit her rucksack instead.

She added: "I didn't know what was going on. They just started shouting 'give me some money' and I was saying I didn't have any. Then one said, 'give me your phone' because they must have seen I had headphones on."

As she lay dazed on the ground, one man rifled her pockets and took her white iPhone 3GS.

The nurse, who works in the Accident and Emergency department, also saw one of the three waving a cloth-covered object at her.

She added: "He was holding the base of something and I think he wanted me to think he had a gun but it didn't look the right shape."

After taking her phone, one of the group snatched her blue Regatta rucksack and they ran off.

Inside was paperwork and work clothes, with about £1.25 in a trouser pocket.

The nurse was helped by a man who walked by a short time later and called police.

She said: "I try not to think about them (the robbers) but I just don't want it to happen to anyone else.

"I just think it's a bit pathetic that they have to be doing that to someone on a Monday night, that they haven't got anything better to do."

The nurse suffered bruises to her body and grazed knees.

Two of the men are white, in their late teens or early 20s, and wore dark clothing.

The other is black, in his late teens or early 20s, and was wearing dark clothing and a hooded top.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who has information about the incident, particularly a white man on a bicycle who passed the muggers in Radford Bridge Road just before the robbery.

Detective Constable Mike Ebbins said: "It would appear the offenders targeted the victim for her mobile phone. However, they were not satisfied with just the phone and were intent on using violence against their unsuspecting victim to get her bag as well.

"She was injured and incredibly shaken by the incident and I would urge anyone who has information to contact police and tell us what you know."

Detectives would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time.

If you can help, contact Detective Constable Ebbins at Oxclose Lane CID on 101 extension 8034337, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

NOTTINGHAM railway station was evacuated yesterday after an alarm was accidentally triggered.

The station was cleared for less than five minutes at about 10.15am after a fire alarm sounded.

It was quickly discovered to be a false alarm and passengers returned.

A station spokesman said the alarm was triggered by contractors at the station.

Work has started on a £60 million revamp. The improvements will take 18 months and will see the station transformed into a transport hub. The ticket office has moved to a temporary facility opposite Capital One, Station Street.

PLANS to close two police stations in Notts and move them into council offices have been approved – and politicians say they are keen to see it happen elsewhere.

At its meeting yesterday, Notts Police Authority gave the go-ahead for police contact points to be set up in Beeston and Arnold at council premises.

They will be used to house neighbourhood policing teams, with the Arnold service set to open by next summer and the one in Beeston by April.

The areas would be similar to the contact point in West Bridgford, where police and Rushcliffe Borough Council work in the same building.

Glynn Gilfoyle, chairman of the police authority's finance and business committee, said: "This kind of thing is the way forward and I expect to see more in the future."

Authority chairman Jon Collins also backed the move.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Scarrott said: "Part of the success story of recent years has been people working together. Engagement of the service to protect communities is vital."

Eric Kerry, county councillor for Beeston South and Attenborough and a police authority member, said: "Locating the police alongside the borough council's housing and community safety, and other services including housing benefits, the county council contact point and Citizens Advice will deliver an even more integrated first point of contact for service users and improve outcomes for residents.

"It's the way forward for modern service delivery. Not only will the sharing of information and intelligence be improved, but complex service user needs can be addressed more speedily and more efficiently.

"A working group to deliver the project has been set up so that the move can be completed quickly, hopefully by April 2013."

Gedling Borough Council will be converting the former stores building in Jubilee Road, Arnold, into office accommodation for the police.

It is expected that the county Supporting Families Team will also be based in the building.

The police will pay a rent of £25,000 for the lease of the building over the next 10 years.

In Beeston, the council will let the police move into the ground floor of its Foster Avenue offices.

The police have been offered a 15-year lease for the building, with rent costing £23,400 per year.

The police will also give the council a one-off fee of £50,000 for the space and for providing showers and other facilities.

A further £100,000 will be provided by the police to make internal alterations to the building to make it suitable for their use.

Do you think the plans will improve policing in your area? Let us know by e-mailing newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

ON November 14, 2009, the £20 million Nottingham Contemporary opened its doors to the public for the first time with an impressive exhibition of work by David Hockney.

Since that date, it has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors and contributed an estimated £23 million to the local economy through visitor spending and local contract work.Look at our gallery of some of the weird and wonderful art that has passed through the Nottingham Contemporary over the years

Yesterday, selected guests gathered to reflect on the achievements of the past three years, led by gallery director Alex Farquharson. He said: "Nottingham Contemporary set out to be an international gallery with a strong local sense of purpose. Looking back over the last three years, I feel this is something that we have achieved."

The gallery recently celebrated its 700,000th visitor – 50 per cent more than hoped for. It has also successfully attracted younger visitors – 64 per cent were under 35.

Mr Farquharson said: "It's up to the public to determine whether we've been successful or not. It's safe to say we've exceeded our expectations and, hopefully, some of theirs as well."

He spoke about some of the highlights – which included welcoming pieces by David Hockney, often called Britain's favourite artist – and the challenges, such as when 12 people spent over three hours trying to get a one-tonne concrete-filled elephant by Chinese artist Huang Yong Ping into the gallery.

The birthday was marked with a cake in the shape of the building that was unveiled by one of the Contemporary's zebra mascots and children from Edale Rise Primary School, in Sneinton Dale.

Lord Mayor Councillor Leon Unczur joined in the celebrations and said it was a joy, as he had been involved from the beginning. "What it brings to the city is self-evident. It brings huge amounts of money. It brings jobs to people in the city. But if you look at it the other way, it brings a tremendous joy to a great deal of people."

The gallery has contributed to the city through educational projects, which have helped everyone from primary school children to elderly people with dementia.

One charity project which would not be here today without the Contemporary is Art Outlook, an art group for adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems. Martin Sommerville, 35, a community artist with the organisation, said: "We lost our funding and our venue the week Nottingham Contemporary opened and it offered to house us, which meant we could carry on."

The gallery also welcomed people who share its birthday – November 14 – including Andy Warwick, 45, a software developer, from Colwick.

"I came to the opening as part of my birthday celebrations," he said. "It's been very significant for me, as I met my partner that opening weekend as well. It's been a tradition for us to come here every year to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary."

Everyone can celebrate the Contemporary's birthday on Saturday, when cupcakes will be given out during a family activity to create an artwork inspired by the current exhibition of Haitian art. The event is free and runs from 11am to 3pm.