A Nottingham economy expert says that 'difficult questions' are raised by new figures showing dramatic changes on its high streets. Analysis of Ordnance Survey data by the BBC has shown that whilst Nottingham's banks and fish and chip shops have decreased since before the pandemic, the number of beauty salons and tattoo studios has gone up.
William Rossiter, an Associate Professor at the Nottingham Business School, said that he is not surprised by the data. He said: "The pandemic accelerated the growing trend towards online retail and that has particularly affected our cities.
"Cities are now becoming much more geared towards services that you actually have to be there in person to use. Those are things like beauty salons and tattoo studios and, in future, cities are going to become much more about the experience of going there.
Read more: Forecaster’s snow predictions for Nottinghamshire as temperatures drop
"Traditional retail will still have some role to play, but the mix is really going to change. But this does raise some difficult questions for our politicians around how we are going to sustain our cities. I've now doubt that we will, but as what is the question."
The data analysed by the BBC shows that from 2020 to 2022, 11.3% of banks closed in Nottingham, along with 1.8% of fish and chip shops and 2.7% of public toilets. But in terms of what has opened in the city, the number of tattoo and piercing studios has risen by 28.6% and the number of beauty salons has increased by 9.4%.
The Ordnance Survey data shows that, overall, there were 9,300 fewer retail outlets in March 2022 than March 2020. Across the country, department stores and clothes shops were among the most common premises to have closed.
Associate Professor added: "The shift that we are seeing could actually be beneficial for suburban areas and market towns. More and more people are working from home and so you haven't got everyone travelling to the cities every day, which means that we could see a regeneration for the high streets of our market towns."
Why not sign up to one of our newsletters by clicking here to keep up with all the latest news from across Nottinghamshire.
READ NEXT:
- Dad admits killing 11-year-old son after he was found near country park
- 'Sophisticated' cannabis farm found in home after public raise suspicions
'Beautiful' £180k Nottingham 3-bed comes with its own 'pub' in the garden
- Vicky McClure opens up about filming new ITV drama in Nottingham
- Take a look around as Rosa's Thai opens in Nottingham city centre
