Light is flooding into one of Nottingham's most treasured buildings after the glass roof was uncovered for the first time in three years. The roof of the Malt Cross was covered with a tarpaulin in 2021 to prevent leaks but it has now been removed - and it's making a huge difference, especially when the sun is shining.
The bar, in St James's Street, was saved from closure by Nottinghamshire YMCA in 2018. One of Nottingham's most loved properties, it was originally built in 1877 as a Victorian music hall with the glazed roof arching over two floors. The YMCA's executive director of hospitality Joe Piliero said: "Lots more natural light is flooding the space. We are loving the light and all the new shadows it’s creating.
"The roof is quite a marvel, thought to be one of a kind. The panes of glass were held in place not by any screws, bolts or nails, but a combination of horsehair glue and layers of laminated wood. There are 17 levels of laminated wood in the roof, each of which was shaped into position by being submerged in the River Trent. Those Victorians sure had bucketloads of ingenuity."Parts of the historic roof need restoring.
. Today the saloon-style venue is a place for food and drink, live music, DJs, comedy, quizzes and arts events. It is operated by YMCA Robin Hood Group in support of its charitable services and programmes.