A former pub, dating back to 1853, has been earmarked for demolition to make way for a new development. After the Shipstone's pub closed it turned into an Indian restaurant called Nimboo, which shut down during the pandemic.
But it's as the Royal Oak that most of the people remember the site in Villa Street, Beeston. A once a popular drinking spot in the town, locals described it as a "proper pub".
Alison Lawrence, of Beeston, said: "It's sad but it seems change is inevitable. I've seen so many changes in Beeston over the years. Things have to change but not always for the best. The Royal Oak holds many happy memories... a real pub.
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"My dad Walter Lambert loved his visits and dominoes on a Sunday lunchtime. He even had his own tankard hanging in the pub ready for his pint of Shipstone's mild. The Christmas family ran the pub for years."
Jennie Kirkland, who used to live in Beeston but is now in Long Eaton, used to work there in the 1990s. She said: "I worked in most bars in Beeston but it was this one you'd find most of the Beeston characters which made it more fun to work in. I was also a customer as well as a staff member so I made many friends.
"It's very sad to see that building go. I remember being sat outside the front on benches during the summer. It was always packed. There was karaoke on most weekends - I always sang. There were BBQs out the back."
Retired university professor John Lucas wrote a book called Closing Time at the Royal Oak last year, charting his love affair with the pub from 1969 to 1989 and the heyday - and fall - of the local. He recalled how it would be packed at weekends and the ladies' darts team would head to away matches with a busload of supporters.
On Saturday nights drinkers dress up. Men in suits and ties would order pints of 'mix' (half mild and half bitter) while women, wearing dresses, would be on the gin.
Mr Lucas told Nottinghamshire Live that breweries and property developers "don't give a bugger about community." He said: "It seems to be a disgrace that a pub that served such a useful function and a great meeting place should be got rid of."
Plans were approved by Broxtowe Borough Council in 2020 to redevelop the site. Once the site near Sainsbury's has been cleared a four-storey building will be constructed with commercial use on the ground floor and ten apartments on the upper floors. Total Reclaims Demolition will get rid of the building but it's likely to be several weeks before work starts.
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