Stay up to date with all the latest stories across Nottinghamshire in the daily Nottinghamian newsletter. You can receive the newsletter straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up right here.
Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Happy Friday! Today we're looking at plans to turn Nottingham into a vibrant city after some young residents said it is too 'vanilla'. Work is already underway to turn one of the city's most popular shopping streets into a unique, colourful space.
We will also discuss a Michelin-star chef's appeal to the public for help completing his new restaurant venture. Plus there is hope in New Basford as developments are set to start on a former lace factory and I give you a restaurant recommendation to try this weekend.
Vibrant city
Nottingham will not be 'vanilla' for much longer as a popular city street is set to be covered in colour. Bridlesmith Gate is currently being transformed with vibrant pieces of street art.
Managing director of ALB Group Arran Bailey, who has been buying retail units in the city, has pledged to "bring a colourful taste of Copenhagen to the city centre". It is part of his vision of creating a hub of independent shops, bars and cafes in the once bustling, Bridlesmith Gate area of the city.
Help has come from local young people as well as the city council and local projects. Five murals by five different artists have been planned for the street in an effort to celebrate its legacy and diverse history. Benjamin Kay, the project coordinator, said: "Through unique pieces, the street will be transformed into a walkable timeline. Each mural is an interpretation by the local artists which capture moments of time and stories from the past. Embark on a visual journey that starts 100 years ago and continues into our city’s cultural future.”
Leonard Design Architects and Marketing Nottingham visited Nottingham College, where students were asked how they felt about Nottingham and what could be improved. Feedback was brutal with some saying that Nottingham was ‘bland’ in comparison to other cities. Take a look at the vision here.
Public appeal
A chef is hoping the public will help him raise £100,000 so he can complete his new restaurant. Major refurbishment is underway at Mollis, the second venture for Alex Bond, next door to his Michelin-starred restaurant Alchemilla in Derby Road.
However, the chef patron needs a further £100k to help him over the line due to rising costs and unexpected structural issues at the property that used to be Chinese restaurant One More. Mollis is a completely different concept to the fine dining restaurant, combining some of Alex's biggest loves - fried chicken, ice cream, hip hop and graffiti.
Alex said: "The build has been going really well and we are on target for a November opening but, due to some unforeseeable setbacks, mostly structural issues with the building we have had to mend, our budget has taken a hit. We have had to fully repair the whole roof and other damaged areas."
The Kickstarter campaign will launch on Saturday, October 1, and will run for 14 days. The all-or-nothing model of fundraising means Alex has to hit the target to receive any of the cash. In return for donations, there are rewards including tickets to collaboration dinners with some of Britain’s best chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants including Simon Martin of Mana in Manchester, Tom Brown of Cornerstone in Hackney, Peter Sanchez of Casa Mia and Decimo and Brad Carter of Carters of Mosley. Find out more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: A chilly start then a cool day on Saturday, with long periods of sunshine and a fresh northerly wind. Maximum temperature 16 °C.
Pollen: Low
Further reading: Sadness as shop with 'friendly staff' announces it's closing
Trivia question: Where is poet Lord Byron laid to rest?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Recommendation
Name: Oscar & Rosie's
Address: 8 Stoney St, Nottingham NG1 1LP
Cuisine: Pizza
Tucked away in Stoney Street in the city centre, you will find this independent restaurant which specialises in all things pizza. Oscar & Rosie's has been shaking up the Nottingham food scene since 2013. They pride themselves on using award-winning, locally sourced and free-range produce. The pizza toppings are all cooked from scratch so no processed meats or cheeses will be found here.
Oscar & Rosie's has a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere that is suitable for families, couples and groups of friends. The menu is extensive and you are likely to find unusual and inventive options. The pizzas are humorously named with the likes of Tyrannosaurus Veg, Magic Mushroom, Hamster and Barcelona Sausage Party. These come as 14", but if you are feeling exceptionally hungry you can take on Oscar & Rosie's infamous metre of pizza where you get a choice of two toppings.
The restaurant also caters for vegans and vegetarians and if pizza isn't your thing, they also have a selection of mac and cheeses. There are plenty of drink choices ranging from American classics like root beer and cream soda to craft beer, lager and wine. If you are looking for a casual and comfortable restaurant this weekend give Oscar and Rosie's a try.
Hope
New Basford residents have expressed hope that development plans for a historic lace factory could bring life to a 'boring street'. New plans have been submitted for the vacant Guy Birkin mills, with a partial demolition proposed and the construction and conversion of buildings to provide more flats on the site.
A previous successful planning application means two brick buildings next to the former Maville House lace factory in Beech Avenue can be turned into 14 apartments, as part of wider plans to create 123 flats. The property, which dates from the mid-1800s, was part of the area's thriving lace industry.
Dimidreu Barlanici, 47, a warehouse worker who just moved to New Basford, said the area had become like a 'bomb site' due to a fire at the main factory building and vandalism. He said: "I understand that building housing is a good business. I think anything happening to it would be good for the area."
Judith Inegbedion, 41, a full-time mum who lives across from the site, said: "It is a good idea because the building has been empty there for a while. The road is boring, we need more people and we need more housing here." Another resident added: "I think it is a lovely building and I think it might bring the area back to life." Read more on the plans here.
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, where is poet Lord Byron laid to rest, is Saint Mary Magdalene Church, Hucknall.
READ NEXT:
