10 things that would improve shopping in Nottingham, according to readers

Whether you’re after some last-minute holiday bits or something special for a family member’s birthday, Nottingham’s shopping scene caters for almost all needs. 

However, most of us would agree that the city’s high street is not what it once was. 

With the increasing popularity of online shopping and lack of footfall due to Covid, dozens of Nottingham shops have closed over the past few years. 

The potential closure of the Victoria Market would leave another huge hole in Nottingham’s shopping scene. 

By no means is Nottingham city centre the shopping wilderness experienced in some other UK cities, but there’s no denying that certain improvements could be made. 

We asked readers how they think Nottingham’s shopping scene could be enhanced - and it’s fair to say some pretty good suggestions were made. 

Some of the most popular recommendations are below. 

1. Make the city cleaner. Areas such as Clumber Street should be more welcoming for shoppers

2. Encourage new businesses by lowering rates, rent and taxes

3. Affordable parking and new cycle lanes to encourage carbon-neutral transport into the city centre

4. More independent shops such as greengrocers, butchers and bakers

5. Bring back Drury Hill with shops and cafes

6. More shops around the train station area by developing the Broadmarsh site

7. Fewer former shops turned into student accommodation

8. More of a police presence in the city centre to deter shoplifters

9. Introduce an artisan market or have an artisan crafts place in the Lace Market, where people can rent a stall 10. Put the Emett Clock back outside Boots in the Victoria Centre