Nottingham isn't short of a side street or two which hide some of the city's creative businesses and quirky shops. While many are well-known, some remain best-kept secrets in the city.
Bridlesmith Gate is having a bit of a revival at the moment with new shops popping up all over the street. The former fashion hub is regaining its title with shops such as Stick and Ribbon, Relic X Hooked and 101 Vintage all choosing the historic location to open in.
Just off Bridlesmith Gate is Bridlesmith Walk, a small side street with steps which connect Weekday Cross to the street. While it's in the middle of the busy city street, it remains a quiet hub with businesses and bars dotted throughout.
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It's a historic walkway as it was originally named King John's Arcade and has been part of the city since 1882. Bridlesmith Gate has existed since the Middle Ages and it was the main shopping street in Nottingham until the 19th century.
Starting at the top of the street, you have to enter down a thin alley by an art gallery and Ibis Hotel. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it type of entrance which people may associate with the two pubs at the top - the Herbert Kilpin and Junkyard.
The Herbert Kilpin is the type of pub where you can go for a nice quiet pint, a bowl of chips and snuggle into their leather sofas. The smoking area is connected to Junkyard bar which creates a bit of a sunspot in the summer perfect for a cheeky cider or two.
Heading down the steps, there is the Rogue Piercing shop neatly tucked away on the left. The piercing spot offers to pierce everything from standard earlobes to eyebrows to navels and then some.
Kat Henness is the studio manager of Rogue Piercing. They said that the area feels like a little community where all of the businesses help each other.
"It's honestly one of the loveliest streets in the city. The main draw for us is that it is not front and centre so you do have to find us and seek us out," they said.
"The people who come to us are more intentional customers who are more thoughtful. It also means we can use the outside as well so we take a lot of our photography out there because it's not a main thoroughfare and we don't get rained on."
They added: "All of the businesses on the walk, we all know each other, we talk to each other and support each other. If the beauty place runs out of gloves and they need to borrow some then we can give them gloves. I get my hair done at the hairdressers at the end. A lot of us get piercings and hair done by each other so it's nice community down this street."
When it comes to being tucked away down a side street inside of being in the city centre, it can be tricky to make a business work. However, Rogue Piercing is an appointment-only studio so it thrives on the side street and the lack of footfall is not an issue for them.
"We are an appointment-only studio so the people who are booked with us generally will already know us from our social media. We don't get many customers from footfall anyway so when people find us, it is an intentional process anyway," they said.
White Rabbit Cafe also runs a small teashop on the street which provides a very welcome slice of cake and a cup of tea for anyone looking to get out of the crowds. The dainty teacups and calm atmosphere make a welcome break from some of the chain coffee shops available throughout the city.
The White Rabbit has been open for about ten years with the original shop located on Houndsgate before it moved to Bridlesmith Walk. It also has another branch in West Bridgford which is a popular brunch location.
"You get a little bit of footfall but not loads," Jessica Attewell, cook at the White Rabbit said. "We have a nice little group of businesses down here and everyone is really friendly. We have some nice bars, cafes and it's not far to walk.
"I think there are a lot of hidden shops here. It's a quiet place where people can have a nice coffee and a slice of cake in."
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