People in Bulwell have praised a new shop which they say offers 'something different'. The new store, in Commercial Road, has no sign above it but it sells trading cards and collectables. The cards include Pokémon and other gaming cards.
It is among a handful of new shops which have opened in recent times - and people in the town say the latest offering is likely to prove popular with children. Barmaid Sian Letts, 28, said: “People have been complaining there’s no shops and now more and more are coming to the town.
“You can’t please everyone. I have a little boy who loves cards and Pokémon, all things like that, so I’ll definitely be taking him here at some point.”
READ MORE: Bulwell still has 'a long way to go' despite new shop openings in town centre
Concerns were previously raised about the future of the town's high street following a string of shop closures, including the recent closure of NatWest on nearby Main Street. Boots in Commercial Road joined Budget Wise on the street to shut earlier this year.
However, there are now several new business openings in the pipeline with new signs hinting at a shop to replace Budget Wise, and a Toy Library and The Cash Monkey set for Commercial Road.
Other people in the town welcomed the new card shop. Kitchen Daniel Reid, 35, who has lived in Bulwell for five years, said: “It's something different for the area, isn’t it? I’m sure it will go down well not just with kids but adults too, I know a few friends who collect cards. I wish them well.”
Retired Kevin Pitchard, 66, who has lived in Bulwell for the past 15 years, added: “It’s a good thing, it’s about time as well. It’s good to see something other than a charity shop, I’ve just been to look in one of the new shops. I’d like to see shops that sell more ladies' clothes because for my wife, there’s nothing here.”
Mike Meehan, the owner of Mike’s Mobility scooters within the Wilkinson store in Commercial Road, feels like more needs to be done in Bulwell for retail despite new shops opening. He said: “Bulwell needs regenerating.”
He said the closure of Boots has had a big impact. "Retail hasn’t got any better in Bulwell, we used to have two Boots shops in the area. Variety is the spice of life, we need more.”
Elaine Baker, 56, said of the new card shop: “It’s nice that there’s a new shop, it’s better than one being empty, don't get me wrong but we need shops that everyone can use. More shops have been coming on Commercial Road and the cafe is very popular and I know that the Toy Library is something the area needs.”
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