When deciding on a day-out to the shops, many people will look to Nottingham city centre, or maybe further afield to retail parks dotted across the county and beyond. But one small Nottinghamshire village is proving a magnet for people across the county.
Gedling Village is home to just over 6,000 people but residents and shop owners say its high street is truly 'unique', with a mix of independent businesses. The mix, they say, attracts people from across Nottinghamshire.
Among the businesses on Gedling's Main Road is Knitworking, which has operated for more than 90 years, while the Local Art Shop also attracts artists.
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Owner Mark Hutchby said: “I survive because I’m an internet business." He said the Royal Mail strikes had made life extremely difficult but added: "Business varies: one minute I’m doing well then not as good the next.” Mark, who is also an artist, said that one of his best sellers is picture framing.
Despite the art shop running for around 16 years, the building has been family-owned since the 60s. He continued: “I love being here, it’s quiet.
“At the moment, I’m having discussions to have the bus stop moved, it got chucked in and appeared overnight around 20 years ago but it blocks people from seeing the shop. I have deliveries every day, too.
Mark added: “I’m one of the cheapest art shops in the UK because I’m internet based and not retail-based.”
Complementing one another’s shops, across the road from the Local Art Shop, is Knitworking. As soon as you walk into the shop on 5 Main Road, you’re hit with an array of colours.
Owner, Anita Strong shared how things have been recently, She said: “Crochet is very popular, people are learning. Every day, somebody says crocheting and knitting is making a comeback.
“We also get new people coming in every day too, it’s being called a ‘destination shop.’”
The ‘destination shop’ sees people coming from all over Nottinghamshire to visit. Anita continued: “What we sell is all about colour, we’re lucky to still be a physical shop. Knitting and crocheting can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be.”
In seasonal months such as November and December, the shop orders more red so people can make poppies or make decorations for Christmas. Anita added: “The landscape of the craft has changed, it used to be more seasonal like people knitting a lot in winter now, people are realising it’s something nice to do in the garden in summer.”
Shopping on Main Road, Harriet Shaw, 34, spoke about what she thinks of retail in the area. She said: “I think Gedling has shops that make the village unique. I've lived in the area for five years and I find the high street handy. I always end up getting what I need.”
The teacher continued: “We have a gift shop, knitting shop, chip shops, and branded supermarkets. It was a shame when the florist closed down - they’re doing online orders but it was a lovely shop.”
The Enchanted Florist and Gift Shop was on 69a Gedling Road. With the signage still up, it is believed the shop closed towards the end of 2022.
Margaret James, 71, has lived in Gedling all her life. Now retired, she said: “Gedling has a range of shops.
“I don’t like the prices in the Co-Op so I don’t go but me and one of my friends go to Endos chip shop every Friday afternoon and we love it. I go to the knitting shop too, I could spend all day there.”
Morgan Harp, 24, lives in Gedling. The graphic designer said: “I think because Carlton and Netherfield have more options people tend to go there because it’s a few stops away on the bus but we do have some great independent businesses here.
“Gedling is one of those places where if you don’t live near, it’ll be the ideal place to come for a day out.”
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