Goose Fair returned to the Forest Recreational Grounds for the first time since Covid restrictions forced it to be cancelled. The fair, which is one of the biggest yet, is also being held over nine days this year.
The beloved fair features exciting new and classic rides, food and drink stalls, game stands and children's activities. Already it is shaping up to be one of the busiest years yet.
With the increase in people visiting the fair, there has been a huge increase in numbers using public transport, driving and also some parking in some residential areas has caused concerns. Surrounding businesses on Mansfield Road and Hyson Green say it has increased footfall and brought in new faces, but has made traffic more difficult.
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Joanne Arton lives in Forest Fields and has a short walk to work at Punch Coffee on Mansfield Road. Punch has just opened but already has a reputation for strong coffee and one of the best brownies in Nottingham.
"It's been really positive as we've only been open for around three weeks here and we've had a lot of people stopping by from Goose Fair. However, it's hard to tell if all of the business has been from the fair as we've not been open long. Locals are coming in so that's good for us," she said.
The manager of Bangla Point in Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green, Syed Mobin, says business has remained the same but traffic has increased. Bangla Point offers money transfers but also has a shop at the back of the store. Hyson Green is a busy main road through Nottingham so has already quite heavy traffic. This has made Syed's usual commute more difficult.
"For us, it's not really been that busy but the road is very busy. Goose Fair customers don't come here normally as we do money transfer services that's why we are not busy but it's business as usual," he said.
"Traffic is a problem though because I have to collect my daughter every day and it usually takes 10 minutes normally but now it takes 45 minutes."
The busy road is home to a lot of businesses including greengrocers, markets, furniture shops and cafes as well as the New Art Exchange gallery. Further down on Gregory Boulevard is Cafe Wala, a popular stop for coffee in the area which can get extremely busy in the mornings.
"We have been busy," said store owner Asan Ali. "We have been here for four years but we've only really been open for two of them because of Covid restrictions. Goose Fair has meant new faces coming in and the weekends have been really crazy."
The fair is due to continue until Sunday, October 9 at the grounds when it will be dismantled. The next event at the Forest Rec looks set to be bonfire night in November.
