Sir Paul Smith’s favourite places in Nottingham to eat, drink, shop and visit - including Wollaton Hall

It’s fair to say that Sir Paul Smith is one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Born in Beeston in 1946, Sir Paul was a pupil at Beeston Fields Primary before leaving full-time education to work in a Nottingham clothing warehouse in his teens. 

At the age of 24, and keen on making his mark in the fashion industry, Sir Paul opened his first shop in Nottingham. 

Paul Smith Vêtements Pour Homme, located at 6 Byard Lane, measured just 3 x 3 metres and didn’t have any windows, but gave the young designer’s career the lift off it needed. 

Fast forward to 2024 and Sir Paul has around 130 stores in 60 countries. 

Sir Paul was knighted in 2000 as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. 

Despite his fame, Sir Paul has stayed true to his roots and still  very much values his home city. 

In an interview with Visit Nottinghamshire, Sir Paul shared some of his favourite places in the city. 

He said: “Nottingham Contemporary is an impressive gallery in the Lace Market. 

They always have very interesting exhibitions and events and there is also a very nice café and shop. 

“The building itself is very curious, the outside of which is imprinted with a traditional Nottingham lace pattern.

“The Broadway Cinema has been showing the best international releases and art house titles since the Sixties and has long been a creative hub in Nottingham.

“If you go you might even sit in the Paul Smith Auditorium which I opened in 2006 - it has seats covered in Paul Smith stripes.”

Sir Paul also shared his love for Wollaton Hall, one of the city’s most famous buildings. 

“This striking English Renaissance mansion sits in 500 acres of gardens and parkland. 

“Find a quiet spot and watch the free-grazing deer, you'll quickly forget you're only 3 miles from Nottingham city centre."