Businesses and shoppers in Hockley have spoken out about what footfall is like in the area. Businesses have said that they do their best to support and get support from their neighbouring independent businesses.
This year, Hockley was named one of the 12 ‘coolest postcodes’ to have in the UK by The Times. The listing of top destinations for Millennials fleeing London labelled it as the place to be "for hipsters who have moved on from Hackney" before going on to describe Nottingham one of England's most underrated cities.
Shoppers have listed some of their favourite places in the area and, in the midst of the cost of living crisis, have vowed to continue to try and support Hockley businesses.
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The vibrant area filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, vintage shops, charity shops and a rainbow road is said to be “good for shopping or a night out”. Assistant manager at Cow in Carlton Street, Brooke Skelton, has spoken about how the vintage store is aiming to support other businesses in the area.
Brooke, 23 said: “We’re urging people to shop independently for Christmas this year. We’re doing a map display of all the other independent businesses in the area.” Brooke continued and spoke about how business has been in recent times, saying: “It’s been up and down lately, at the weekend we have a high footfall and we normally pick up later in the day too which can be difficult, last week was quite dead until the weekend.”
Some of the shop’s best sellers currently include: North Face puffer jackets and sportswear. Brooke spoke about the importance of shopping independently and said: “When you shop independently, you’re supporting a small team and it’s more sustainable, we stock jewellery from a girl who used to work here and host independent set ups in the shop too.”
Cow will be hosting a Christmas Lock-In social event with the date yet to be confirmed. Previous lock-ins have consisted of local DJs from the area and other independent shops setting up in the premises.
Finn Bhandari, 22, sales assistant at coffee shop Dispatch in Goose Gate, said trade had been good since the shop opened in recent weeks.
“It’s going well, our vegan products sell well and now the students are back we have more footfall. The word's getting out that we’re here and we’re getting more popular."
Loyal shoppers in the area have also spoken out about why they enjoy shopping in Hockley so much. Student Amelia Jesser, who is 22 and originally from Hull, said: “It’s just a nice vibe here.
“A lot of the businesses are so friendly here. Whenever I’m in town, I’ll come in and take a look around Hockley.” Amelia continued and listed some of her favourite shops she said: “I love Cow, I’ve got some nice bits from Wild and, to eat, I’ve been to [Sexy] Mama Loves Spaghetti a few times, it’s nice to sit outside on a nice day.”
Fellow student Aaron Taylor, who is 24 and lives in Lenton, said: “Hockley is one of those places where when you first come, you just want to look everywhere.”
Aaron likes the clothes shop Wild, the Hockley Kitchen and grabbing a drink at Six Barrels. He continued and said: “There's a barbers, restaurants, vintage shops all packed into what I call ‘the back of town'. You go into a shop and whether or not you buy anything, staff will talk to you, they have time of you it’s just a nice place to be.”
Earlier this year, The Times gave their reasons for singling out Hockley, saying: "With warehouse clubs and artist studios at every turn, Nottingham has long been one of England’s most underrated cities (just ask Sir Paul Smith, who grew up here).
"The specific corner that should have your attention? Hockley. Start with a tour of the neighbourhood’s graffiti murals — the street art is great — before picking up a bottle of natural wine from the Hockley Bottle Shop pop-up stall.
"The best beers and DJs are at indie spot Jamcafé — a café by day, music venue by night — which stocks some of the best independent breweries, such as the local Liquid Light Brewing Company.
"For cocktails make your way to Lost Property (above), then head downstairs to its sister bar the Lost Caves, which specialises in gin and rum and is built in an actual cave (Nottingham has the UK’s largest network of caves, don’t you know)."
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