Shoppers have spoken of their hopes for their town centre that's become 'dilapidated' in recent years and is undergoing a multi-million-pound regeneration. People in Arnold have said that town centre buildings were 'showing their age' with residents left hoping for a revival of the town's empty shops.
A huge amount of work from Gedling Borough Council has gone into improving the centre, and the town awaits the opening of the new AMP at the revamped Arnold Market Place. And separate plans have recently been put forward for an office block in Front Street, described as a 'Soviet eyesore', to be converted into flats.
Paul Buxton, 63, who is retired and lives in Arnold, was among people who have been speaking about the town's future. Describing Arnold as "worn down and tired", he said: "It used to be a really great place. Looks-wise, the buildings do need a bit of a refurb, not too much but a bit of sprucing up would help.
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"But I think the council do what they can. I think the nightlife is improving with the new places opening near the market. And hopefully when the market opens it will rejuvenate things a bit."
Retired Robert Carter, 75, who has lived in Arnold all his life, said: "The thing is that Arnold had a lot of stuff built in the 60s and it was just thrown up, so it looks a bit old now.
"Some of the newer buildings look good and have brought a bit of character back. We have lost a lot of that character - with things like when the Butcher's Arms pub went for William Hill. It's certainly lost some vibrancy that it used to have. Arnold changed I think when the ASDA was built - before it was much more appealing."
Other people said they would have to wait and see if the town could become as "good as it used to be". Jim Oswin, 75, and June Oswin, 73, who have lived in Arnold since 1977, said the centre was 'tired'. "There's quite a few empty shops and a lot of the buildings are showing their age, and look dilapidated," Mr Oswin said.
"People have said to us that Arnold is not what it used to be. And, while I wouldn't move at all, it's true that it looks a bit tired and old." Mrs Oswin added: "It is a sad thing to see really but it is not just Arnold, it's happening in towns across the country.
"It definitely needs a facelift, as a lot of the town is a bit of a mishmash. When you go to other places that have been redone they look very tidy."
The AMP at Arnold Market Place, scheduled to open soon, forms the centrepiece of the £4m Arnold Market regeneration project. The redevelopment, that's designed to attract independent businesses and create an impressive gateway into the town, marks the biggest investment Arnold has ever received.
The AMP, between the Methodist Church and King George V park, has provision for 16 stalls and should be ready to use this spring. Potential tenants have been asked to contact Gedling Borough Council about renting spaces.
Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, the borough council's portfolio holder for growth and regeneration, said: “One of our key priorities is to create thriving and vibrant town centres, and we’re working closely with local businesses to do just that. We’re continuing to invest in our borough and have agreed funding to identify opportunities to make future improvements to Arnold Town Centre.
"In the past year we’ve introduced new CCTV, refurbished car parks, installed electric vehicle chargers and fitted flood defences to protect local businesses. We’ve done all this whilst developing our new flagship building, The AMP, at Arnold Market Place and agreeing plans for a new specialist, disability friendly, “Changing Places” toilet facility at King George V Park.
"Our High Street Business Advisor has been working with local businesses, and we’ve been encouraging residents to shop locally and support their community as part of our #RediscoverGedlingBorough campaign. We want our high streets to be a place businesses can be proud to be part of, and residents can enjoy visiting, and that’s why we are committed to regenerating our borough.”
Meanwhile, speaking about what they'd like to see at the redeveloped Market Place, shoppers previously suggested a 'greasy spoon' caff, 'designer outlet' or 'children's play area'. Campaigners spent years working to secure the future of Arnold Market, with The Save Arnold Market group set up to persuade politicians to revitalise the town's once-thriving asset.
In that time, the borough council completed its takeover of the market in July 2018, and, in April 2019, old market stalls were replaced with new temporary ones. The council hired Maber Architects to design the initial concepts for the redevelopment and worked with students from Nottingham Trent University to help bring the ideas to life.
