Shoppers have welcomed a number of new shops opening up in Bulwell, but they say the town still has a long way to go. Hairdressers, barbers and nail shops are still 'dominating' the town centre, residents say, with shops including Boots and Budgetwise among those lost in recent months.
Shoppers in the town centre say they would like to see more children's and clothes stores. Kirsty Wilkinson, 34, feels many of the shops in Bulwell are the same.
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The barista said: “Clothes shops, even a toy shop for kids would be nice to see, there are loads of little ones in Bulwell.
“I know a lot of older people weren’t happy when the bank closed and I think one of the strongest shops is Greggs, but there needs to be a mixture of places to eat and actual shops where you can look around.”
Kirsty has lived in Bulwell for 14 years. She continued: “Hopefully within the next few months, more shops will start to appear and Bulwell has a long way to go but the new shops are a start.
“It will be interesting to see how the pet shop does, I think people will like it, it’s something different for around here.”
Another shop has also appeared in Bulwell. On Commercial Road, ‘The Mystery Shop’ can be found. The shop has replaced Budget Wise.
Full-time mum Laura Bramley, 33, recently moved to Bulwell and believes retail in the area could be better. She said: “I don’t like it, there’s too many vape shops. Bulwell needs to be modernised.
“There needs to be better shops and things for the kids. Even having a New Look would be better.”
Laura has moved from Arnold. She continued: “I find myself comparing Bulwell to Arnold and Arnold has much better shops.”
Earlier this year, Nottingham City Council submitted bids totalling £57m to the Government's Levelling Up Fund to improve the Broadmarsh area, Bulwell town centre and the Island Quarter. Bulwell would receive £20m of this.
With the funding, Bulwell would see an upgrade to the marketplace and urban greening, the restoration of heritage buildings and easier access for all and better connectivity between Bulwell Bogs, tram stop, bus station, market place and high streets.
Alan Spencer, 73, is retired and lives in Highbury Vale.
Alan feels like Bulwell has far to go in the retail industry. Speaking about the town centre, he said: “It’s terrible and run down.
“All the shops are closing or they’re pretty much all the same. All the money is going to the wrong areas, if it’s a park area, it’s thriving and Broadmarsh is being concentrated on.”
Alan’s brother, Paul Spencer, who lives in Bilbrough, added: “There’s no money being invested. The place is thriving with people but there are no shops.”
Andrew Turner, 37, works in a supermarket. Originally from Bulwell, Andrew feels it’s hard for people to set up businesses due to the cost of living.
He added: “Bulwell definitely does need more shops but can people set up local businesses in this climate? The ones that are open are struggling enough as it is.”
Andrew continued: “The market isn’t thriving like how it used to be but locals still use it, talk to the stallholders and try to help the cause.
“We need enough shops so people don’t go elsewhere and decide to stay and shop in Bulwell.”
MP for Nottingham North, Alex Norris has said: “We want a thriving Bulwell Town Centre so it is welcome to see businesses choosing to move to the town.
"We want to give the town centre a real lift. That’s why, working with the local community, we’ve put together an exciting bid to really improve the area. We now wait to hear from the Government, given the money they’ve pulled out of our area, they need to back us.”
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