People in Arnold say they are looking forward to seeing more units open at the new Arnold Market Place in the town centre. Although the Post Office is the only shop operating at the moment, three other shops have been confirmed.
The £4m building was completed and handed over to Gedling Borough Council on October 11. And despite the confirmation of a deli, wine tasting shop and a pet accessories shop, people are eager to know what else will be coming to the marketplace.
The two-storey Arnold Market Place site was purchased in 2018 by Gedling Borough Council. Work started on the site in 2020.
Read more: Hopes opening of new shops at £4m Arnold Market Place will help town 'thrive'
Funding for the project came from the council's capital programme budget. It was boosted by a successful bid for £1.25 million from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund that supports town centre improvements.
Now the building has been completed, with only the Post Office open and ‘coming soon’ signs found in some of the windows people in the area have been sharing their hopes for the new retail space. Here's what they told us:
"I think it'll be good"
Amelia Rose, 22 a sales assistant, feels that the 3 shops confirmed are suitable for most ages.
She said: “Those shops can be used by most people, I think it’ll be good. I’ve lived in Arnold all my life so it’s nice to see more retail and more facilities coming into the area.”
Amelia added: “I hope people still go to the other shops outside the AMP too if they can like the cafes and stuff because now more than ever they need the customers too.”
"A bit too fancy"
Nancy Graham, 68 is now retired. Nancy has lived in Arnold for 25 years.
She said: “I meet up with my friends on Monday and Friday. The wine tasting is right up our street.
“I’ll still be going to my regular shops in Arnold like Boyes, Amelia’s and Asda. This place [the AMP] is a bit too fancy for me but I will pop in and have a look and I’ll be using the Post Office on a regular basis.
“For all the money it’s cost, I’m sure it will have a good reception from people in the area and bring others into Arnold.”
"I hope it takes off"
Kevin Taylor, 70 is now retired. Kevin is from Heronridge.
Kevin comes to Arnold often and uses the Wetherspoons on Nottingham Road. Kevin said: “I hope it takes off, there’s quite a few empty units in Arnold at the moment. I’m disappointed that you aren’t told what else will be opening but I suppose it goes down to supply and demand.”
Kevin feels like there’s too many hairdressers in the area so in the new AMP, he’d rather not see a hairdresser open. Kevin continued: “If the AMP hadn’t already been planned, it might not have gone ahead because of the climate we’re in and people aren’t spending as much.
“I’d like to know in 12 months time who’s moved in. It’s good the Post Office is there because you can’t go anywhere else for their services.”
"The shops already sound good"
Olivia Harrinson, 39 lives in Sherwood. The teaching assistant visits Arnold regularly.
She said: “The three shops announced already sound good. A lot of people in Arnold have dogs, there’s a few parks in the area so the dog accessory shop may go down well and even though there are a lot of places to eat like Greggs, Costa, Amelia’s and Refresh I think people will still pop in and go out of curiosity to the new deli.”
Olivia continued: “I think it’s a positive thing, the place is massive and it’ll get people from other parts of the city coming to Arnold too.”
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