Ahead of the permanent closure of a popular city centre pub, people have spoken out about what they’d like to see replace it. The Crafty Crow is opposite the Nottingham Castle, at the top of Friar Lane.
The closure of the pub was to do with tough trading as a result of the pandemic and people in Nottingham have spoken out about what they’d like to see replace the pub.
Amy Ellis, 24, said that another pub would be ideal for the area. “I think that because Nottingham Castle is right there and this area is quite good for tourism, there’s nothing more British than a pub - and that isn’t a bad thing," said the city centre retail worker from West Bridgford. “I never went into the Crafty Crow but from the outside, it looks like a good pub and in the summer, I’m guessing the hospitality industry around here does really well.”
Read more: Sadness as Nottingham pub announces permanent closure
Amy went onto say that if the old pub isn’t transformed into a new one, she’d like to see a restaurant. She said: “A restaurant for families, maybe an all-you-can eat buffet may do well as well if it isn’t a pub and I think that too would do really well also.”
Mortgage adviser Robert Paley, 44, lives near the Nottingham Castle and he feels that something for children would be best to replace the pub. He said: “I’d like to see a soft play area for kids, there’s nowhere for kids. I think lots of parents would agree. There’s also a good school near the park, St Joseph’s but there’s still nowhere for kids. There use to be a soft play area in Victoria Centre and there’s Planet Bounce but soft play would be good.”
Alex Chambers, 56, an accountant from Calverton said that he’ll miss the Crafty Crow and had been in there many times. “Over the years, I have been in here loads," he said. "It’s a shame it's closed down. There was always such a good atmosphere and everyone was respectful. I think another pub would do well or maybe a café, it would have to be something within the hospitality industry. You couldn’t turn this place into a clothes shop or something but maybe a bookstore with a café in it would work well.”
