When it comes to the city, things move incredibly fast but by any standards, twenty years is a long time. While there are some old favourites on the board such as The Council House and the Robin Hood Statue, there are some that are long gone - Broadmarsh anyone?
Back in 2001 when the board was being designed, companies could buy a space on it but the process did take into account the overall look. So while there are some random choices such as Biffa Bins, there are others that make sense such as Rock City. There were only 50,000 of the boards made so if you own one, then it’s worth hanging on to them.
There are no plans, that we know of, to revive the board but it does get us thinking, what would we put on it today?
1. Kimberely Ales is no longer with us but the brewery was once the oldest independent brewery in Nottinghamshire, and had a heritage dating from 1832. In 2019, it was proposed that 57 homes be built on the site.
The red squares: Hockley, Terry Miller Associates Limited, Maid Marian Way Puzzler, Kimberley Ales | Caroline Barry
2. First of all, Moat House Hotels went under in 2004 which included Nottingham Royal. Although the hotel is still there, it became Crowne Plaza in 2005. Rock City is famously still alive and kicking although that may be an older logo. Brewhouse YardNottingham Castle reopened in June 2021 following a 3-year, £30m transformation. Brewhouse Yard is closed to the public as it undergoes a transformation, and is scheduled to open at some point this year.
The yellow squares: Moat house hotels: Nottingham Royal, Powergen, Rock City on Talbot Street and Brewhouse Yard | Caroline Barry
3. The Lace Market Centre closed in 2005 but the area definitely deserves a space on the more expensive part of the board. Galleries of Justice is still there although it is now renamed as The National Justice Museum but it is still on High Pavement.
The slightly less expensive green section: Lace Market Centre, Galleries of Justice, University Boulevard, Central News and High Pavement. | Caroline Barry
4. Okay so we object to this one! The cheaper end of the board somehow makes the beautiful Sherwood Forest which is a historical landmark of Nottingham and a gorgeous place for a walk, equal to Biffa Bins. Not only that but one of our most beautiful locations is also in the cheaper section? Biffa Bins is still in Nottingham located next to Colwick Park to this day. So its one of the few businesses on the board that are still around over 20 years later.
The cheaper end of the board: Sherwood Forest and.....Biffa bins?! | Caroline Barry