Nottingham shoppers have spoken of their sadness at how one of the city's best-known shopping streets has become a 'ghost town'. Bridlesmith Gate is today home to big names such as Joules, The Body Shop and Ted Baker, but residents say there is a lot they miss about the once 'thriving' street.
Among them was self-employed Sara Fardon, 44, from West Bridgford, who described the area as 'shocking'. She added: "Bridlesmith used to be thriving. I loved it down here.
“Bridlesmith Gate at one point was as busy as nearer to Victoria Centre now, it’s pretty much a ghost town.”
64-year-old Nick Leventis has lived in Nottingham for around 40 years. Nick, who is originally from Yorkshire, spoke about his views on Bridlesmith Gate.
Nick said: “It was a really good street, it’s just depressing now. The whole town, it’s just sad. It’s all coffee shops and pubs.
“I think that it’s great Bridlesmith Gate is now pedestrianised. I used to go to Limeys which is no longer there.”
Limeys was a menswear shop. Nick, who’s favourite shop is Waterstones, continued and said: “Hockley is great, there are independent places. You don’t want the High Street just like anywhere else.
“Wheeler Gate also used to be nice. You want more people to come out but it’s hard because people just don’t have the money.”
Jared James, 52-years-old, a teacher who lives in Gedling, added: “I remember MUJI, that store was really popular and I have a lot of memories of the Fountain pub. It was a bit rough but people seemed to love it.
“It’s a shame what Bridlesmith Gate has turned into but nothing lasts forever. Shops come and go, you would just expect that over the years the shops would have gotten better and not worse."
