Lister Gate in Nottingham has been hit hard by the Broadmarsh closure and subsequent reduction in footfall to that part of town.
However, a shop unit on the street will soon be welcoming a new tenant.
Tiger Community Enterprise CIC is moving into the building next to H&M in Nottingham’s Lister Gate.
A community initiative, Tiger will be opening up a shop, cafe and activity hub providing everything from retro gaming, beginners’ yoga and arts and crafts activities.
The building, which was once the HSBC bank, is sandwiched between H&M clothing store and Leeds Building Society.
Toni Jarvis, Tiger’s project leader, said: “We wanted something in the city centre that was going to be big enough to do all the things we want to do.
“We also want people to be able to access us by train, tram, bus, or car, and where Lister Gate is is really central to all these things.
“We will drive our own traffic in by doing activities, but it’s also going to be great for people living in the city centre, who say there are very little community activities to do, while also being accessible across the wider county.”
Tiger was established in 2013, to support enterprise and to help individuals and organisations to grow, sharing skills and building confidence.
It has led projects including making and distributing scrubs and face masks to hospitals and care homes during the pandemic, and it is currently working on reusable sanitary wear and sewing drainage bags, which are discrete bags that carry surgical drains.
Moving from its previous base at 38 Carrington Street Urban Room, which is now a pop-up concept, Tiger leaders have spent the past three months with their belongings in storage, waiting for the ideal space to become available.
The Nottinghamshire Federation of the Women’s Institute has already been involved in planning the forthcoming shop window display.
As well as selling creations made by volunteers in the shop, the cafe will also be a space for ‘social eating’, with regular cooking workshops and opportunities for people to eat as a community.
There will also be work experience opportunities, particularly for people with learning difficulties.
Toni Jarvis added: “It’s nice to be revitalising Lister Gate. So many people are disappointed with it down there. We are hoping that lots of people come down to do activities with us.”
The unit is owned by property developer ALB Group, which previously revealed ambitious plans to revitalise Lister Gate and nearby Bridlesmith Gate, having acquired 14 commercial properties in the area.
Toni said of ALB and agents FHP: “They have been fabulous. We were really struggling to get a decision on a previous property, with a different landlord, and when this one became vacant they moved pretty quickly.
“We can’t wait to get our team of Tigers back together.”
She also said she was hopeful that Tiger will qualify for community discounted business rates.
Arran Bailey, managing director of Nottingham-based ALB Group, welcomed Tiger, but said: “It is currently a very difficult time to find tenants for Lister Gate with the half-demolished Broadmarsh Shopping Centre and the high rateable values on the street."
Oliver Marshall, associate director with FHP, said: “It’s great to see a community-focused operation making the most of the opportunities available on the high street, bringing life into Lister Gate.
“Lister Gate is going through a period of change with the proposed redevelopment of the Broadmarsh, but FHP are working with landlords like ALB to bring new tenants into the city.
“It has been a breath of fresh air working with ALB to secure this deal with Tiger. ALB are quick to agree a deal and realistic with their expectations on rental prices they will achieve.
“This follows other successful deals for ALB including 32 Lister Gate to Hatchet Harry’s and the recent exchange of contracts at 2-4 Albert Street nearby."
It is hoped that the Tiger Community Hub will be fully open by Friday, April 1.
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