Stuart.C 483 Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 They're a little bit behind and they keep changing their minds about what's going to be there. Broad Marsh Centre is still open but with improvement works going on. The work is to build a new Bus station and to extend Broad Marsh shopping area. Closing Collin Street to traffic and paving it over. New car park, Central Library and lots of other developments in the surrounding area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilborough Girl 31 Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 Thanks Stuart. It certainly didn't look as though it would be finished any time soon when I was there a few weeks ago....in fact, there didn't seem to have been any change since I was last there in October! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mercurydancer 1,104 Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 I do miss Sisson and Parker. I recall the beautiful staircase. Second only to the Co Op Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted June 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 On 6/8/2019 at 1:40 PM, Bilborough Girl said: Does anyone know what the intended outcome of all that construction work is, when it's intended to be finished and if Broad Marsh Centre will ever open again? This is the official Council Propaganda version of what will happen. I'm not convinced it won't turn out to be a massive white elephant. https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/media/456785/broadmarsh-artists-impressions.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mercurydancer 1,104 Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 Effectively the Broad Marsh centre blocked off the route to Trent Bridge and I am sure it was a factor in the awful destruction of Arkwright Street. West Brigeford is flourishing and the Trent is a lovely place to be. How stupid was it to close off a perfectly functioning road which was the main route to the river and the football and cricket grounds. Furthermore, I could imagine that Arkwright Street could have been a street of boutique shops and curio places, micro pubs and a delight to walk along. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted June 9, 2019 Report Share Posted June 9, 2019 Similar to the Shambles in York, or The Lanes in Brighton ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilborough Girl 31 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 18 hours ago, mercurydancer said: I do miss Sisson and Parker. I recall the beautiful staircase. Second only to the Co Op As I recall there was also a beautiful staircase in Griffin and Spalding ( now Debenhams) but it seems to have disappeared. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 I always got lost in Griffin and Spalding's. Not a shop to easily get out of if there was a fire! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,497 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 30 minutes ago, philmayfield said: I always got lost in Griffin and Spalding's. Not a shop to easily get out of if there was a fire! I have always got lost in that shop too, still do and invariably have to ask an assistant where to find different departments so I rarely venture in what is now Debenhams. The whole interior needs gutting, there are too many steps and sloping creaky floors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 Yes, it’s a maze. I’ve not been in for many years. The Lincoln Debenhams is a much better modern store - if it’s still there! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 483 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 Given the financial state of Debenhams I doubt they'd spend millions on levelling it out, if they own the building. If it's owned by others, then Debenhams wouldn't be able to justfiy the massive rent increase. That building will be destined for a few small shops with many luxury flats above it. The 9 flats above Wheeler Gate Sainsbury started from £160k when they were converted. (building not owned by Sainsbury) There's probably potential for 50 or more . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted June 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 1 hour ago, philmayfield said: I always got lost in Griffin and Spalding's. Not a shop to easily get out of if there was a fire! I always had the same problem with Pearsons on Long Row. A lot of small spaces on different levels; holes knocked through walls to connect one old building with another, and a couple of steps up or down; and quite a few departments with no windows or daylight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 Pearsons were one of my old firm's audit clients back in the 60's. If you thought it was a rabbit warren in the shop you should have seen it backstage! They bought the old AB Gibson premises and it eventually went through to Parliament St. . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilborough Girl 31 Posted June 11, 2019 Report Share Posted June 11, 2019 Back as far as the 1960s I often had the thought "what if there's a fire" when I was in Griffins! It was such a rabbit warren that people would have a job to find their way out. I was in there a few weeks ago and lo and behold, I STILL couldn't find my way out! Is it a listed building? I have a recollection of being told, or once reading, that the shop consists of a series of wealthy merchants' town houses knocked through to join them up. Certainly, if you stand in the Square and look at the architecture, that could be their origin. It would also explain the higgledy-piggledy interior layout. The buses to Bilborough had their terminus outside Pearsons in the 1970s. It was a lovely shop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,497 Posted June 11, 2019 Report Share Posted June 11, 2019 The 4 Seasons Restaurant in Griffins was the place to go as a 60s teenager. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted June 11, 2019 Report Share Posted June 11, 2019 It's had the creaking irregular floorboards as long as I can remember. Everything does seem so scattered I'm afraid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bilborough Girl 31 Posted June 11, 2019 Report Share Posted June 11, 2019 The chef from Griffins restaurant was the husband of a friend of my mother's and he made my wedding cake as a gift. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted June 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 14 hours ago, Bilborough Girl said: The buses to Bilborough had their terminus outside Pearsons in the 1970s. It was a lovely shop. This is the 1960s, so almost the same thing. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,268 Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Mrs PP worked at Pearsons in the 60's and confirms that the offices were a bit of a warren. She found it an interesting place to work but not as good as Home Breweries. She was a S/H typist- million words a second 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Ask her if she remembers Mrs.Waller, Dot Leverton and Don Whitehead, the company secretary. I think the office manager was called Jackson. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveN 1,118 Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 Some shops that no longer wxist in Nottingham https://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/shopping/remember-long-lost-nottingham-shops-288819 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanB 13 Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 Was it Pearson's that used to have a large music section and sold Hammond and other organs? My Dad used to love going in there to browse and he eventually bought an organ of his own (second hand though, not from Pearsons). I remember Selectadisc too, I bought quite a few albums from there. Also I remember the man who worked in menswear at the Co Op. He had the mannerisms of Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served! Another shop I remember was the first supermarket to open at the far end of the Victoria Centre, I think it was called Scan (?). I had a Saturday job there collecting trolleys but I only lasted a few weeks as I had trouble steering them in a straight line! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 It was, in fact, Henry Farmers, but they were wholly owned by Pearson Brothers and they were a department of the store which could be approached from Hurt’s Yard or via the main store. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted January 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 18 minutes ago, AlanB said: I remember Selectadisc too, I bought quite a few albums from there. I spent a fortune in the various Selectadisc shops over the years. And I remember - but had forgotten - Scan in Vic Centre. It didn't seem to last very long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonab 1,644 Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 I remember Scan in Viccy Centre. It was taken over by Tesco, I think. Scan was the first supermarket in my expeerience to have a full in-store bakery and it was almost worthwhile going there to sniff the bread being baked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.