Stay up to date with all the latest stories across Nottinghamshire in the daily Nottinghamian newsletter. You can receive the newsletter straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up right here.
Here is the Nottinghamian from Monday, January 9.
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian brings the latest updates on the future of Nottingham Castle. The city council said it can expect to confirm a reopening date later this month.
We will also take a look at the decline of the former Debenham's building on Market Square. Plus we have a selection of events happening across the city this week and hear from 'cob lady' on her 15th year in business.
Castle updates
Later this month, Nottingham City Council will be set to confirm when Nottingham Castle will reopen. It comes after three councillors asked questions to senior leaders about the future of Nottingham Castle at a full council meeting today. Councillors Kirsty Jones and Sam Webster both asked when the castle will reopen, while Councillor Andrew Rule asked how closely the castle trust's finances were being monitored and when the council first became aware of the difficulties it was facing.
Nottingham Castle Trust confirmed on November 21 that it had started the process of entering liquidation, having operated the venue on behalf of Nottingham City Council. Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis said that work has been taking place 'at pace' over the last four weeks to reopen the castle as soon as possible. He said this work has included ensuring the safety of the venue and the collection inside and working with creditors.
Cllr Kotsonis says that a Transitional Project Board has also been set up, chaired by him, looking at options for the future of the venue. He also rejected the assertion made by Cllr Jones that the situation was a council failure, saying that Nottingham Castle Trust was an 'independent company'. Cllr Andrew Rule asked whether the closure of Nottingham Castle was another exmaple of Nottingham City Council 'losing control' of its investments, saying that the cost of the castle failure was a 'drop in the ocean' compared to Robin Hood Energy.
Council leader David Mellen said this situation was 'completely different to Robin Hood Energy'. He added: "We could not control it. We were given one seat on that board. So it is not an example of a Labour council throwing money away, it is an example of a council being ambitious for this city." He also said that other options for the future of Nottingham Castle were 'exhausted' before the trust entered the liquidation process. Read more from the meeting here.
'Disgraceful scandal'
The uncertainty over the future of Nottingham's landmark former Debenhams building has been labelled a 'disgraceful scandal' as it nears two years since its closure. The retailer in Long Row traded for the final time on May 4, 2021, before exiting the high street for good and leaving the Grade II-listed landmark vacant.
Owners Altum Capital remain silent on the future of the historic building, which was first constructed for Victorian entrepreneurs W Griffin and JT Spalding. It has been on Long Row in some form for more than 180 years, yet its condition is now visibly deteriorating with cracked masonry on its columns and staining of its impressive façade.
Conservationist Hilary Silvester, executive chair of Nottingham Civic Society, said: "It's a disgrace that in Nottingham, which is trying to improve and doing a grand job in some areas, this building is being neglected. It's something we should be proud of, and I realise that we cannot blame the council for what's happening to the building, but I do think they should be looking at it very carefully, and putting pressure on whoever owns it. It's a fairly recently listed building, we should not just turn our backs on it."
Weather and trivia
Weather: Remaining windy as persistent rain moves over the region from the west, heavy at times on Tuesday. Some drier spells likely to develop during the afternoon. Feeling milder through the day. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: £49m flagship road to shut so first pothole can be fixed
Trivia question: What year did the annual Splendour festival start?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
What's on
Traditional Irish Music Session, Nottingham Irish Centre - January 10
The Nottingham branch of Comhaltas Ceoiltoiri Eireann meets weekly on Tuesday evenings for music lessons and sessions. All are welcome to join in or enjoy the music. Lessons are currently available in concertina, bodhran and beginner's tin whistle. The free session runs from 7pm till 9.30pm.
Chinese New Year: Brush Painting Workshops, Lakeside Arts Centre - January 11, 18, 25 and February 1
To help celebrate Chinese New Year, learn the ancient art of brush painting with Feng-Ru Lee. The class will focus on animals, including this year's zodiac, the rabbit. Open to all experience levels, the class is for ages 16-plus and costs £7.50 per workshop. The 6pm to 8pm session can be booked here.
Quiz night, Lion at Basford - January 11
Every Wednesday the Lion at Basford host a quiz night for just £1 per person. With maximum teams of six, there are cash and drink prices available. Throughout January, you can also get 25% off all burgers from Monday to Thursday.
Mardy Bum, Percy Picklebackers - January 12
Get on your dancing shoes and head down to Percy Picklebackers for a night filled with indie bangers. The club night takes over the American bar every Thursday from 9pm till 3am. Expect to hear the likes of Oasis, Stone Roses, The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. A happy hour is also thrown in for good measure. The event is free.
Comedy and Poetry with Lauren Nicole Whitter, New Art Exchange - January 13
Spend an evening with Lauren Nicole Whitter, actress, poet, physical theatre performer as part of the free monthly ABC performances in the New Art Exchange CafeBar. All Black Connect (ABC) provides an opportunity for young black musicians, poets, dancers and comedians to showcase their art and grow their audiences, within a supported environment. Book free tickets here.
Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting, Broadway - January 13
Taste vintage Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Cremant and try to arrange the world's best sparklers and decide which you prefer. The traditional method will be explored to understand why Champagne is so special and learn about the influential Champagne widows that have determined the Champagne industry as we know it today. All glasses served with a little food on the side. Book your place here.
Saturday Night Comedy, Glee Club - January 14
Treat yourself to an evening of award-winning comedy. Four stand-up comedians that will keep you laughing until Monday (or so they say!) Tickets are £15 and the event is 18-plus.
Memory to Masterpiece, Waterstones - starting January 14
Have you always wanted to give life-writing a go but don’t know where to start? Join author Shreya Sen-Handley for a three-week course exploring the art of memoir writing and receive expert advice. You will discover how to write a stylish and imaginative piece of life-writing. Book the course here.
Peggy's House Band play 'Broadway', Peggy's Skylight - January 15
The 'Golden Era of Songs' (1920-1950) included the compositions of composers like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and Jerome Kern. Songs that became the bedrock of jazz, possess a timelessness that touches millions across different demographics. Expect to hear Tea For Two, I Get A Kick Out Of You, I've Got You Under My Skin and more. Tickets are £10.
Come and Sing with John Rutter, Royal Concert Hall - January 15
If you love singing, and can read a bit of music, this workshop is for you. Led by the celebrated composer and conductor John Rutter and accompanied by Neil Taylor, Come and Sing is an afternoon of choral singing to lift the spirits. Music will be a mixture of old and new, including some of John Rutter’s own well-loved choral works. If you’re not a singer yourself, you can be an observer instead. Find out times and prices here.
'The cob lady'
It hasn't been plain sailing over the last 15 years for cob shop owner Fiona Fillingham with ups and downs along the way. But 15 years is a milestone worth celebrating, especially at a time when so many small businesses are closing down.
The shop, Taste, has had revamp inside and out - carried out by Fiona and her husband Michael over Christmas and the New Year. She relaunched the business in Kirkby-in-Ashfield today with a birthday cake, fizz, stilt walker Luke Baker and a visit from Ashfield MP Lee Anderson.
The job has earnt her the nickname 'the cob lady'. She said: "You're in a pub with your friends or in a restaurant having dinner and you hear across the restaurant 'it's the cob lady - can I have a bacon cob?' I never really spent a lot of time in Kirkby until I bought the shop and now I know everybody."
Fiona added: "I still serve what I did 15 years ago, I think if it's not broken, don't fix it. The best-sellers are breakfast cobs - sausage, bacon and egg - and full breakfasts with eight items." Read more of Fiona's journey here.
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, what year did the annual Splendour festival start, is 2008. It started as a two-day event with Kate Nash, The Charlatans, Paolo Nutini and Rufus Wainwright.
READ NEXT:
