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Here is the Nottinghamian from Wednesday, January 18.
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian takes a look at cracks in Slab Square. The departure of the Winter Wonderland has revealed damaged to some of the slabs.
We will also take a look at a restaurant revamp and a historic city pub reopening. Plus a popular shoe shop chain is set to close its store and we hear Nottingham's thoughts on the hot topic of the day.
Cracks in slab square
The departure of Nottingham's Winter Wonderland rides and attractions has revealed cracks in some of the concrete slabs in Old Market Square. It comes amid ongoing work to dismantle the remaining stalls at Winter Wonderland. Retired Maria Richardson, from West Bridgford, said: "I think we should leave the cracks as they are now because it happens every year after the market.
A spokesperson for Mellors Group, which sets up Nottingham's Christmas Market, said: "We work with Nottingham City Council to survey Old Market Square before we start the build for an event. After the event, we survey the square again and reinstate any damage found at our cost."
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson added: "The Old Market Square hosts a number of high-profile events every year, which continue to be very popular with residents of Nottingham and visitors from outside the city. Our Highways team deliberately plans in routine works between these events when things are a little quieter and, as usual, this was scheduled for the weeks following Winter Wonderland this Christmas. It will include paving repairs.
"Inspections are completed before and after major events to establish if there is any damage, which is routine practice. The organisers would be responsible for the costs of any repair and the Winter Wonderland post-inspection is due to take place next week.”
All change
When Antalya closed its doors due to "unforeseen circumstances", fans of the Turkish restaurant were hopeful it would reopen. But that was two years ago during the pandemic and the doors of the well-established restaurant, which first opened in 1989, have remained locked.
Now, work is underway to transform the restaurant in Forman Street - and since it's stood empty for so long, it's taking an immense amount of effort. It is set to reopen in a few weeks' time as Temola, a brand new concept from the man who launched Ohannes Burgers across Nottinghamshire, in the city centre and towns including Beeston, Arnold and Hucknall.
Murat Yer said: "We will be serving breakfast, brunch, fresh desserts, coffee and a chicken-based menu. It will be based on Turkish food with hints of world cuisine." The upper floors of the property are also being brought into use as a hotel. There will be 11 bedrooms over two floors, plus a penthouse. It is hoped the hotel will open later this year.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Perhaps one or two wintry showers to start on Thursday, but mostly cold and dry with plenty of bright spells. Winds generally light, but may pick up into the evening. Maximum temperature 4 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Three Nottingham restaurants feature in UK top 100 list which is 'the highest calibre' yet
Trivia question: In 2014, Nottingham became the first city recognised for what sport?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts says
This week has seen further strike action take place as well as teachers announcing they have voted to walk out too. We asked the people of Nottingham: "Will you be supporting the teacher strikes?"
Colin Fraser, 56, from Colwick said: "Yes, I will be. I am supporting all sectors who are on strike. It is unfair all these hard workers are not being paid properly or that conditions are not fair."
Lucy Shipman, 34, from Mansfield added: "I am a parent so it will affect me. I do support them. I don't know how many teachers at my children's school will strike, so unsure of the impact yet. It does make it harder for me though as I need to arrange child care."
Ben Sommers, 47, from Bilborough said: "Teachers are quite well paid compared to other workers currently on strike. They do an important job though so if they feel the need to walk out, then that's their choice."
Revamp
The historic Peacock pub in the city, which has been closed for around three years, is set to reopen shortly. Work has been taking place both inside and out at the pub on Mansfield Road, ready for a planned relaunch in February. New red and gold signage has gone up outside, while the old-fashioned interior has been undergoing a "major" revamp.
Owner Star Pubs & Bars said refurbishment was on the cards in October 2021 once a new operator was secured. However, as time progressed the building's exterior became more and more dilapidated, raising concern amongst CAMRA members and Nottingham Civic Society.
The Victorian pub's new look will be "stylish, trendy and sumptuous", while bringing back some of its original features, according to Star. The last pub in Nottingham to have a push bell for customers to order drinks behind the bar, it will be restored for customers to use once again as part of the upgrade. Fireplaces will also be renovated and reinstated.
The pub, which dates back to 1850, is a Grade II-listed building located in a prime position within the city council's Arboretum Conservation Area, and has a heritage interior rated by CAMRA as being of regional importance. It closed in August 2020 due to the pandemic. Read more about the plans here.
Another blow
A major chain has closed one of its two branches in Nottingham city centre. Shoe shop Clarks, in Wheeler Gate, has shut its doors for good. The closure brings the tally of empty units between the store and the end of Lister Gate to nearly 20.
Other shops to have vanished from the area include M&S home store, Three mobile shop, River Island and Pret a Manger. Shoppers looking for shoes or to have their children's feet measured can walk across Old Market Square to the company's other city centre store on the corner of Long Row and King Street which remains open as usual.
The closure is one of a number nationally. Clarks had been at the Wheeler Gate shop for at least 15 years.
That's all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today's trivia question, in 2014, Nottingham became the first city recognised for what sport, is football. It was named the City of Football after three cities were selected by Sport England because of their commitment to promote the sport at grassroots level. We beat Manchester and Portsmouth to the title.
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