People in Chilwell have spoken about how they feel the area is “overlooked” but a “wonderful place to live.” With independent shops and other retail options, many people support their locals.
Chilwell has a population of more than 12,000 people. The village in the borough of Broxtowe is home to a church, schools, pubs, Chilwell Retail Park and more.
We visited the area to find out what people think of it. Anna Perkins, 49, has lived in Chilwell for five years.
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The nurse said: “Chilwell’s lovely. I think the area is a bit overlooked, though. We have independent shops and the retail park but I feel like Beeston usually gets more attention because it’s bigger despite it being down the road.”
Anna added: “It’s a quiet area, not much ever happens really, but everyone’s friendly, I always see a lot of dog walkers out and about and there’s a good route into the city. I drive but whenever I take the 36 or the Indigo into the city centre, it’s relaxing.
“We have good pubs too - there’s the Charlton Arms and the Cadland. I’ve been to both of those and they have good atmosphere. Chilwell’s a wonderful place to live."
The Charlton Arms is on High Road in the village. The Cadland is located doors away.
Canvas and Coffee is a coffee shop on High Road. It is on Chilwell’s Independent Corner where there is also a locally owned florist, hairdresser, jewellery shop and more.
Canvas and Coffee has been under new management for the past six weeks. General manager Richard Pearce said: “We love it here. We’re fairly new but we have a very loyal following.
“We’re a part of an independent unit. We have the florists next door and all the other shops are always linking together. We also shop locally so we get our brownies from Beeston Brownies and our coffee from Sneinton.”
Currently, homemade waffles aree one of the shop's best-sellers. Richard added: “We’re like a destination. We have parents come in after school. Families come in and grandparents too.”
Jeff Mann, 78, lives in Chilwell. Now retired, he spoke about the area where he’s lived for decades and said: “The High Road has many independent businesses and pubs. I go to the retail park and go to the Costa with my wife and look around the other shops.
“Unlike Beeston’s High Road, in Chilwell there isn’t just one street of shops. Shops are located in different places but I’d still say we have a variety.”
He added: “I’d say my favourite thing about the area is that for the majority of the time it is really quiet but if you feel like you want a bit more hustle and bustle, you can walk, drive or catch the bus into Beeston.” Tracey Cole, 44, from Chilwell, said: “It’s a village with a sense of community. It reminds me of growing up and you’d speak with strangers and everyone was there for one another.
“I walk down the street and people say ‘morning’, ‘afternoon’ and ‘how are you?’” Tracey, who has lived in Chilwell for 10, years is originally from Carlton.
She added: “I work in the city centre so in the week I don’t really have time to use local facilities but at the weekends I’ll sometimes go to the Chilwell Retail Park or just have a walk around and pop into shops.”
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