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Here is the Nottinghamian from Wednesday, January 25.
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian takes a look at the city's high streets. Following one of our reporter's walk around the city centre looking at all the vacant shops, we find out what business experts think of Nottingham's future.
We will also take a look at a coffee shop reopening under new owners as well as modernisation plans for East Midlands Designer Outlet. Plus we hear your thoughts on the hot topic of the day.
'Exacerbated'
Business experts say that problems facing high streets have been "exacerbated" in Nottingham by the state of the Broad Marsh. It comes as Nottinghamshire Live walked around the city and found 93 units were currently vacant. The biggest number of empty units was found on Lister Gate, which lies in the shadow of the former Broadmarsh centre, where there was a total of 19 vacant shops.
Scott Knowles, chief executive of the East Midlands Chamber, said: "Having a half-demolished shopping centre at a key entrance to the city centre for the past three years, for reasons understood, has been hugely unfortunate and this will ultimately affect nearby businesses, including those in prime shopping areas such as Lister Gate.
"The scars of this period are also evident in Old Market Square – where once, Debenhams was a titan of the high street and a magnet for other businesses to locate nearby - its closure in 2021 has left a gaping hole in the heart of the city. Clearly, all this creates a significant challenge for Nottingham when it comes to attracting investors."
Other hotspot areas in Nottingham city centre for empty units included Carrington Street, where we counted 12 empty premises, and Wheeler Gate, where we counted seven. William Rossiter, an associate professor at Nottingham Trent University's Business School, said: "It's not just the experience of shoppers of course, it's the experience of other remaining retailers that is important. If you are a remaining unit in a street whit a lot of vacancies, that is possibly going to have impacts on the amount of passing trade that you benefit from." Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Largely fine, with some winter sunny spells possible on Thursday. Most parts dry, although scattered cloud will continue to spread south and westwards, along with very isolated showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Nottinghamshire carpet company with 5 shops 'taking steps' towards liquidation
Trivia question: Nottingham is one of the youngest cities in the UK with what percentage of under 30s?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts says
Last week Nottingham missed out on £57million of Government Levelling Up funding for projects including the ongoing redevelopment of the Broad Marsh. We asked the people of Nottingham what that loss means to them and what they want to see happen next.
Linda Cartwright, 62, from Bulwell, said: "Oh, it's such a shame. I am Nottingham born and bred and to see the city as it is at the minute is heartbreaking. We needed that money. We still need it. I want them to focus on getting Broad Marsh looking better, it's an awful sight."
Stephen, 46, from Aspley, added: "It's very disappointing. Maybe we shouldn't have started projects as big as Broad Marsh if we didn't have the funding. Now we are left with a right state. I hope they can apply again and be successful. I know Nottingham City Council has been at fault around budgets before but it isn't fair on us residents."
Daisy Wells, 28, from Sneinton, said: "It has been awful watching our city become what it is. Shops are closing, libraries were going to shut and it is very deprived. It seems like we get forgotten about. We deserve that money and we really need it. I don't know what more they can do, but we need the money."
Cafe returns
Just over two months ago, the Specialty coffee shop in Nottingham served its last customer - or so fans thought. But now it's back under new ownership. The couple who originally founded the business blamed the pandemic, the crashing economy and the cost of living crisis when they announced the closure in November 2022.
However, a few weeks later the laid-back rustic cafe announced it would be reopening with the help of "local investors". And today is the day. Lucy Giacone and her partner Michelangelo (known as Miky to regulars) Franco, who originally opened the coffee shop in 2016, are no longer involved.
For now, it's just coffee and cakes, while a revamp, both inside and out, is going on at the property on the corner of Friar Lane and Maid Marian Way. The new owners said: "As you may have noticed we are currently working on a huge interior and exterior refresh so please bare with us. Whilst our kitchen is still being designed, we are delighted to open the Specialty doors for coffee and cakes from local bakers. It will take some time getting up to speed but our aim is to bring back what you loved and more."
Modernisation
The Nike store at East Midlands Designer Outlet will double in size as part of its modernisation plans. The sportswear giant is moving from its current location by the car park entrance into the space formerly occupied by Gap at the shopping centre in South Normanton, across the Derbyshire border.
Nike has confirmed a new and upsized retail space at the centre, with work beginning from January 23 to relocate and more than double its footprint from 6,079 sq ft to 13,959 sq ft. The new retail space will also include new storage facilities and construction of a mezzanine floor, making it the largest Nike store within McArthurGlen’s UK portfolio, which runs the shopping centre.
Paul Sutton, centre manager at East Midlands Designer Outlet, said: “During our 25th anniversary year, we are investing into the future modernisation and development of the centre, and at its heart, our community and customer experience. Over the next year, we will see the upsizing of a brand that has been at the centre for over a decade and a key footfall driver. This new and improved Nike retail space is just the first step in our ongoing modernisation works which will take place throughout 2023.”
That's all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today's trivia question, Nottingham is one of the youngest cities in the UK with what percentage of under 30s, is 50%.
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