A businessman knighted by the Queen for his services to business has praised Beeston's transformation. Sir John Peace, who spearheaded Experian's development in the 1980s, described Beeston Square as 'awesome' and argued more focus should be placed on the positives happening across Nottinghamshire.
Beeston's town centre has been transformed with a new eight-screen cinema, The Arc, which opened last year with the blessing of acclaimed film director Shane Meadows. The cinema has since been complimented by various eateries, including the Italian restaurant Ottimo, as well as a remarkably quirky bar, kitchen and arcade called the Beeston Social.
Beestonians, as well as the town's growing student population, have praised the developments and argued it has helped "put Beeston on the map". And now one of Britain's most prominent businessmen, who was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II to represent Nottinghamshire on her behalf as Lord Lieutenant, has offered his two cents.
Sir John was knighted in 2011, having had a distinguished career in business. He currently stands as the Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University.
During an interview with Nottinghamshire Live, where he paid tribute to the Queen, he said the late Monarch's positivity should be echoed right here in Nottinghamshire. He argued more focus should be placed on the catalogue of success stories in the county.
Sir John recently visited Beeston to visit school children following the Queen's death at 96. He says their knowledge of the Monarchy had been impressive and praised their intellect.
And while in the town he visited Beeston Square, to which he had no end of praise for. He said: "Beeston has been transformed. I went into that really hot, I'm not sure whether you'd call it a bar or a restaurant or a cafe, it is awesome.
"I can see why some of the young people think it is cool."
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