Shoppers have vowed to show their support for part of Nottingham city centre with a large number of empty units. Gin bar Gincident became another high profile closure in the Friar Lane and Maid Marian Way area of Nottingham recently.
There have been a number of closures across the city since the pandemic - and that has also been felt in this area. While there are some popular shops in the streets, including Kaspas, Castle Sound and Vision and now the return of Specialty Coffee Shop, residents admit the area does need support.
READ MORE: Nottingham shoppers desperate to see improvements to rejuvenate city centre
34-year-old Reece Hutchington works as a sales assistant. From Beeston, he said: “There’s always hope, isn’t there?
“It’s not just here [Maid Marian Way] with empty units, it’s the whole of the city centre but because this part isn’t so central I can imagine that the remaining businesses may struggle even more compared to if they were on the Market Square or Clumber Street.”
Reece added: “The businesses that are here now, I don’t use, apart from the Tesco Express so maybe if there was more variety, maybe that would urge people to come up a bit more.”
On 42A Friar Lane, is Shop Zero. Owner Sarah Maloy has been there for over a year.
Sarah said: “The castle not being open isn’t attracting people down this end. My shop has been affected by the cost of living crisis and people are spending less.”
Shop Zero is an eco-friendly shop that promotes living more sustainably. Sarah continued: “The business is being hit by different angles but it’s nice to see Specialty open again. In this area, rates are high so it's hard for many local businesses like mine.”
Outside the Indian Street Food restaurant Tuk Tuk is a To Let Sign. The restaurant had a chain in West Bridgford that also closed down.
Nina Stephenson, 25, lives in the city centre. She said: “This isn’t a part of town that I use a lot, I think that Maid Marian Way could do with brightening up, I know that Nottingham is quite arty so maybe something could be done in that aspect.”
The student nurse continued: “If it was more appealing of course I’d shop more here. I think I’ve been to Kaspas once or twice but that’s about it.”
Jane Malton, 59 lives in Carlton. Jane said: “Maid Marian Way is quite bare but there are still shops open which is the main thing. Hopefully, those shops survive and even if rents slightly come down, maybe they’ll be more of an interest in the area.”
Jane, who is now retired, said: “I’ve used the Tesco Express here and my granddaughter loves the Kitty Cafe but if there was more that would help the surrounding businesses too.”
READ NEXT:
Another blow for Nottingham city centre after Clarks shop closure
Nottinghamshire postcodes eligible for DWP Cold Weather Payments as temperatures drop
Drunk clubber attacked doorman and caused damage at Nottingham's Alea Casino
Nottingham College improves since last inspection with Good rating from Ofsted
