Nottingham icon Vicky McClure has spoken exclusively to NottinghamWorld about the closure of Victoria Centre Market, calling it a heartbreaking loss for the city - and her family.

Did we mention that we love Vicky McClure over here at NottinghamWorld? Yes, thought so - and luckily for us we’ve managed to have another chat the Queen of Notts herself but this time about a ‘painful’ issue close to her heart.

Yes, the closure of Victoria Centre Market is looming - and the Trigger Point star is not too happy about it.

The Line of Duty actress, who grew up in Nottingham and champions the city at every chance she gets, shared her personal memories of the market, which is set to shut down on March 31, marking the end of an era for traders and shoppers alike.

“It pains me to see Victoria Centre Market closing,” McClure told NottinghamWorld. “It holds years of memories for people across the city. In its day, it was the beating heart of Victoria Centre along with the clock!”

McClure fondly recalled the market’s legendary food spots, describing the café chips “drowned in salt & vinegar” and the famous beef patties. “And of course, my Grandad’s meat stall – that was always a favourite,” she added.

For McClure, the loss of the market is more than just a financial decision – it’s a blow to Nottingham’s heritage. “It was such a special place,” she said. “Filming Without Sin in there was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Scenes were shot across Nottingham, in Forest Fields, at Notts County Football Club and at Victoria Centre Market.

With the clock now ticking for the remaining traders, Nottingham prepares to say goodbye to yet another piece of its past – but for those who knew it best, the memories of Victoria Centre Market will live on.

The market, which has been on borrowed time since Nottingham City Council first announced plans to shut it down in 2022, has become a symbol of frustration and uncertainty for traders. Many have voiced anger at the way the closure has been handled, with some only receiving a month’s notice to pack up businesses they’ve run for decades.

Anthony Truin, who has been running Tony-Tex for more than 30 years, said: “It’s been dragging on and on. I’ve been here since I was 18. I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m going to do next.”

Carole Lilley, who has traded in the market for 38 years, added: “It has taken too long and been very distressing. It’s a tragedy. It should have been handled completely differently.”

The council, which has faced severe financial difficulties, said it could no longer afford to subsidise the market, but traders believe they should have been given more respect and support in their final months.

placeholder image — Victoria Centre Market | LDRS

Most traders were given an exit date of March 31, 2025, but three traders were told to hand back their keys in October.

Those who still remain now have under a month to leave.

The authority has about 50 years remaining on its lease of the market, and in 2022 it said it would seek to end the lease early in a bid to save £39m.

But in June 2023 negotiations to come to an agreement with centre manager Global Mutual, which took over from intu after its collapse, fell through.

We contacted Nottingham City Council for comment on the closure.

A spokesman said: “The council confirmed its plans to close the market last year and has been working with traders since serving notice.

“Unfortunately, a large number of traders have failed to pay rent, ultimately leaving the council to subsidise private businesses.

“While we are unable to comment on individual circumstances, we can confirm we have served notice on several businesses in the market, some of which are in arrears with rent payments.

“We appreciate that a number of traders have run business from the market for many years, so the council has attempted to negotiate agreed exits with businesses and offer assistance. The deadline for notice period remains 31 March in line with the project deadline; however, some traders will remain in occupation beyond this deadline.

“We do recommend that businesses seek independent legal advice regarding being served notice. The Council has previously presented traders with the option to run the market, but this was never taken up.”