FOR Dawn Hartley, the launch of the Creative Quarter, around the city's Lace Market, has brought new customers to her café and extra funding to the surrounding area.
Now the city council has launched ambitious plans to create three more quarters in the city, each with its own special identity, to draw more shoppers to Nottingham.
The blueprint, called the Time and Place Plan, has the aim of bringing Nottingham back into the top five retail destinations – a position it has lost in recent years.
And once people are shopping, the plans aim to keep them spending money by helping to create a strong restaurant and bar scene.
The first draft of the strategy was put forward in November last year and a consultation on the plans has drawn largely favourable responses from the business community as well as residents' associations.
Dawn, owner of Hartley's café, in Hockley, thinks the "quarter" idea could reap rewards.
She said: "People know what they are getting with areas like Hockley and the Lace Market – it's creative, quirky and has a great vibe.
"And looking at other areas of the city, the suggestion that they could be 'known' for things is good.
"There are some things that could be done to make things better, though. If you look at the availability of tourist information, I think it's a bit lower than some people expect.
"We've had people ask when the Lace Market is open, for example.
"But we've got the potential to be among the best again definitely."
As well as the Creative Quarter, the plans look at adding Castle, Canal and Royal quarters, complemented by a "high street" retail area between the Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh.
The city has already been carved up into zones to help tourists find attractions and people park their cars, but the new plans will offer blueprints for how they could be developed.
The council report says: "The vision for the Time and Place Plan is for a safe, healthy and vital centre, embracing new ideas, and building on the creativity of our residents, universities, employers and business people. We will also make best use of our assets – principally connectivity, in the form of a compact walkable and cycleable centre with excellent public transport and car parking."
The plans include shutting off a number of roads such as Canal Street, Collin Street and Middle Hill to cars. The consultation showed this was one of the more controversial aspects of the plans.
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce said that restricting car access gave the impression city centre was "impenetrable" and that it needed to be accessible to all.
Taxi firm DG Cars said it was "fearful" that further traffic restrictions may be imposed, meaning longer journeys and higher prices to customers.
Nottingham City Transport also responded to the consultation, saying it felt it was "essential" that bus services could still access the centre of the city. It welcomed the idea of a central retail corridor between the two main shopping centres.
Geoff Williams, who owns Framework gallery, in Derby Road, and Tokenhouse, in Bridlesmith Gate, said: "The quarters would strengthen the identity of the retailers. It's a good idea as long as they are not too set in stone and not restrictive."
Steven Dilks, who owns Montana Colours shop, in Goose Gate, Hockley, said: "I would like to see more focus on the independent zones, like Hockley."
The plans were first revealed in November, alongside another document entitled Retail Nottingham, which has already been accepted by the city's Business Improvement District.
The council says the plans would work together to create a successful shopping, employment, leisure and residential area for the city.
What do you think can be done to make Nottingham a top retail destination? E-mail opinion@nottinghampost.com
