In a colourful, well-hidden alley in Bulwell there are many shops to browse in. From hairdressers to cobblers, a much-loved café, a tattoo studio, baby essentials shop and sales people with the ‘gift of the gab’ are just some of the businesses you’ll find at Banks Yard in Bulwell.
While some may never have heard of Banks Yard, it has an array of shops and many of the independent businesses have spoken out and have shared what it’s like working in the ‘tucked away’ retail spot. With some shops that have struggled since Covid or simply because not many people know the courtyard is there, the site has regulars or customers who are amazed they’ve bypassed the alleyway so many times.
Hidden not too far from Jerome’s Cafe on 207 Main Street, Bulwell, one person known for being on Gogglebox has visited one of the shops at Banks Yard and loved it. Jason Whalley has owned Kidz World on Banks Yard for 11 years alongside his wife who works there part-time.
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Before having the shop that sells affordable prams, baby clothes and more, Jason worked on Bulwell Market and has said he’s always had the ‘gift of the gab’ Jason said: “We’re just trying to get everyone knowing we’re here, it’s tucked away. We get people ringing from Mansfield and Lincoln to see where we are.”
In his shop, Jason has many affordable items and celebrity editions. Currently, he has a pram from a Dani Dyer collection.
Jason continued: “We need to be on the high street, I did try to go to where the Mystery Shop was but they got there before us.”
Jason, who is originally from Arnold, is involved with the Bulwell community a lot and has worked in the area for decades. In December 2022, he helped raise money for the charity, Wish Upon A Star.
Jason added: “I want people to walk past and go, there’s a baby shop. We’ve always wanted to just help mothers out, we do in house payments, payment plans all with no interest and baby and mother starter packs.”
Lesley Wade is a sales assistant at the shop ‘Roll Up. which has been open for two years.
She said: “This is a legal smoking accessory shop. Some people don’t want to come in because they think it’s not legal or they call it a ‘weed shop’ but it’s not.
“We sell a range of things. We do: gift sets, diffusers and pictures.” Lesley continued and said: “We’ve had Sandra from Gogglebox in here before, she loved it and was trying to promote us, she’s so funny but this is a beautiful little yard, I don’t think it’s well signposted but there’s some great businesses here, I go to the cafe for a cup of tea and the cobblers has been there for years.”
Kelly Wallis and her partner are the owners of ‘The Coffee Shop' which has a bright red door you can't miss. Kelly admitted she finds people always saying they never knew Banks Yard existed.
She said: “Since Covid, it’s been slow. We still have our regulars, we have some people who come in everyday.
“We serve hot dinners and breakfast all day. You get the same group sitting outside all the time but it has been slow.”
At ‘The Coffee Shop’ a cup of tea is £1.20. The all day breakfast is £6.95 which includes a drink too.”
In Bulwell, 23-year-old local resident Kayleigh Walters said: “I never knew that [Banks Yard] was there. I’ve lived in the area for two years so I think it needs more.
“If more people knew about it, it could have people from all over Nottingham paying it a visit.”
Kayleigh, who works in a butchers, continued and said: “A lot of people in Bulwell could do with knowing that there’s a baby shop, I always hear people saying that there needs to be more shops like that in the area.”
At the entrance of Banks Yard, Martin Dean, 40, of Bulwell, who has been to the courtyard on many occasions, said: “The cobblers have been there for donkey's years, it’s a nice little place.
“I’ve known about Banks Yard for years but not everyone does, which is a shame. They’re all good independents in there worth looking at.”
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