Business owners have shared their hope that a row of shops will find "new life" through a potential refurbishment. Vacant shops between 82-90 Radford Road, Hyson Green would be refurbished to create two larger retail spaces and a three-storey extension would be created between 92 Radford Road and 2 Hawksley Road under new plans.
The new shops could be used for retail, the sale of food and drink, medical and financial services or as a takeaway. There would also be three student accommodation cluster flats above the row of shops, providing 28 bed spaces.
Local businesses were optimistic regarding the plans, which would refurbish a number of empty shops. Mehboob Sayanr, 65, who owns Munch Munch next door to the project, said it would bring life to the row of shops.
Read more: Businesses delighted with plan for Radford street 'perfect for business and students'
"It is busy already on this road, but it will make it feel more alive and busy. It's a good idea to bring more customers closer to the shops, to help the businesses here.
"To tidy up the empty shops will help the community in the area. Some have been empty for around two years.
"The more competition, and shops that can draw people here, the better. Student flats above will be a positive, as for us students are better customers as they are always eating out at takeaways."
Ali Dastouri, 64, owner of the Persian Super Market across the road, said: "It has been a bit slow since Covid, so this could help with that. It is busy on the street sometimes but hopefully we can get more customers going to local businesses with this plan.
"It would be good for the community if those empty shops were changed and new business could move in. No one would say no to having new customers nearby."
There would be no changes in the scale of the buildings facing Radford Road. According to developers, the proposal will provide an "attractive environment for students to live and study in Nottingham".
Ather Shafiq, 50, who runs his own business in Hyson Green, said: "I would be quite happy with it all. I think it would bring a lot more to the area than what is there now.
"It will do good things for the community and for local business, I think it will be good for everyone.
"It is a convenient place to live next to all the convenience stores and the mosque. Most people down here will think that it is an improvement."
All upper floor flats would have shared kitchen and dining facilities and access to communal bike stores along with bin storage. The upper floor student accommodation will be accessed through a new entrance access from Radford Road, currently an access between 90 and 92 Radford Road.
In a planning document, The Student Lodge, which owns the properties, said: "The proposals will provide a viable long-term use for the building in a vibrant commercial/retail location in Hyson Green. The proposal maintains and reinforces the character of the neighbouring buildings whilst providing high quality commercial and student residential accommodation.
"Overall the development is in accordance with the relevant parts of the Local Plan and the NPPF as detailed above providing a sustainable re-use and extension of an existing building in an urban context." The application is currently pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
