Nottingham looks grim

[AskAwayAgain]

I live in the East Midlands a bit of a way from Nottingham. But we went into Nottingham to see a show. We had not been there since before the pandemic so I said to DH lets go in early and look around the shops beforehand and have something to eat.

I was really shocked by how awful the street from Marks and Spencers to Broadmarsh looked. Most shops closed and some that were open looked really tatty. I also had memories of the side streets being full of interesting gift shops, but most were gone.

Victoria Centre looked okay, but overall the City Centre was really poor and had little to offer, I am still shocked that a major City looks as bad as this.

Are people actually surprised city centres aren't what they used to be? I still like to buy things in person (e.g. food, clothes, house decor) but how many people, especially on here, rarely buy anything not online these days?

Weekly food shop - I'm the only one of my friends who doesn't get an online delivery
Clothes - Most people seem to buy multiple items online (and then send most of them back)

The list goes on but then people mourn the death of the High Street...

I agree. I buy very little online. Kindle books and birthday and Christmas presents for family because they aren't local and I can get them posted direct.

I mostly WFH so even a trip to the supermarket isn't the chore it used to be as it is nice to leave the house. Last time I had a grocery delivery was because both DH and I had covid.

Re Newcastle - I find that the Metrocentre has gone downhill, and the town centre is better for shopping. As opposed to Sheffield where Meadowhall is better. Although there are quite a few empty units in Meadowhall now, at least it doesn't look or feel run down.

Thanks @CountZacular!

Chilloutsnow You're a bit behind the times there. It hasn't been called Shottingham for many years, and is a safer place to live than many other big cities

Re Nottingham, I’m retirement age and was a student there in the 60s. I remember Griffin & Spalding, Pearsons, Burtons the posh grocers and Macfisheries. Oh and a pub off Slab Square which wouldn’t get away with its name now - the Black Boy! The cheese shop in the Flying Horse arcade has I think gone, but there’s a great deli just off Slab Square on the road up to Hockney, called Delilah’s. Good independent coffee shops.

Southampton city centre is thriving, especially around the West Quay centre.

Burton's was magnificent. We'd call in and queue for ages for hand carved ham that a lady with green eyeshadow was in charge of.
And we'd walk through Pearson's to see the Christmas tree. And to the White House for lunch. Then I'd stick my nose into the horse riding shop (Smith Englefield was it? Something like that?)

The cheese shop is still there unless it's closed in the last couple of weeks.

Oh good about the cheese Shop. Oh yes - Smith Englefields was wonderful

There are lots of car parks and the tram network. And the City Offices and new library being built make the are at the station look better.
But most retail units are empty. Opposite the library an enormous unit that a solicitors firm occupied is now empty. The stretch from Broadmarsh to Marks and Spencers is desolate. And that is with all the retail units in Broadmarsh closed, so the number of retail spaces has been significantly reduced. I just do not see how in the current climate they are going to fill these and make it look good again.
But in terms of shopping it is older people more likely to shop in store and that means using public transport or driving in. And I am not even sure how you would get to the Broadmarsh car park with all the cameras and do not drive down here signs. It looked too complicated to risk.

I agree MrsJBaptiste ... everyone complains about the High Street but then doesn't use it ... I very, very rarely buy anything on line, have never done a supermarket shop on line .. even in the height of the pandemic. If I can't buy something locally then I do without. I manage a shop on our local High Street and just love the community feel of knowing regular customers, other shop keepers, local folk etc.
I also love Nottingham ... my DS is in his 4th year at Uni there and I have really enjoyed visiting him ... partly because we live in a small market town so any city - even a run down one - is exciting and yes, it has sadly deteriorated over the last few years but I still love going there.

I go shopping, but I use LIDL or ALDI. I gave up buying clothes from stores a few years ago although I much prefer it as they never had my size in stock and would just tell me to order online. DH still does most of his clothing shop in person.
I go the range or a few retail parks for household stuff, but if it is not there, I often have no choice but to order online.
I am not happy to pay £4 or £5 for parking only for the shops to have only a few sizes.

Ask I only buy clothes from charity shops ... either they have something I like or they don't .... I have over 12 charity shops within walking distance!

I am fat, charity shops are useless for me.

I just don't see how the City Centre can be improved though. I worry it will just slide down more and more.

The shopping experience is dead.

The last few times I went to a huge shopping centre there were only a few shops worth looking in and we left with practically nothing. I’ve given up!

I miss backstreets full of quirky cafes and shops, gorgeous window displays, posh department stores, free samples.. Wishing I could afford everything I saw in Topshop and Miss Selfridge. Popping into The Body Shop for some of those perfume balls. Actual January Sales. Woolworths for CDs, stationery and snacks.

It’s so blah now.

I visited last week & even though it was a weekday afternoon it was desolate. I walked between M&S & H&M & it was really run down & depressing. There were very few people around & I'd be lying if I said I felt completely safe.
I never thought I'd say I prefer shopping in Derby but I do: the Derbyion centre has Next, Zara, Mango & River Island Studios in a row & it's just a nicer experience with nice places to eat. The city centre is still pretty awful but as a pp said, it always has been! Not that many years ago we used to laugh at Derby & Leicester, now I'm heading off to shop there.
The business of Nottingham Castle is absolutely disgusting but not surprising as it was so expensive to get in & most Nottingham residents wouldn't bother. The grounds are beautiful & should be reopened as a green space as we're sadly lacking in that department. The Arboretum is nice but not exactly safe!
Broad Marsh is a disaster, I do wonder what it would've been like if the planned redevelopment had been completed. The current plans for an open space are questionable & could well end up as our next 'no go' area in a few years.

Ive just read on the news that Nottingham Castle is reopening to the public in the summer, which will be good

Ask - I'm fat too ... ! Just have to be persistent... everything turns up eventually.

I visited Nottingham in 1993 to see the Chippendales in a giant theatre with six other 6th form prefects from my boarding school and my house master, Mr Watson.
We sat in the front row.
Nottingham will always be a magical place in my memory.

Grew up in Nottingham and I still love it.

Let's hope they've got more to look at than they did have. Last time I visited half of it was closed off. It really wasn't worth the entrance money.

Nottingham has forgotten about Robin Hood. The Castle needs to at least mention him!

@MermaidEyes I live and work in Derby. You must know a different one to me as it's bloody awful