THE COUNTY is gearing up for one of the biggest sporting events on the global calendar, and one that is expected to pump £20 million into the local economy.
The Ashes are coming to town tomorrow, with a five-day festival of international cricket attracting more than 15,000 people to Trent Bridge every day.
With flats on neighbouring West Bridgford roads letting out for prices of up to £1,000 for the week, local business looks set to boom.
And as weather conditions are expected to be among the hottest of the year, West Bridgford pubs are expecting to do a roaring trade.
General manager of the Riverbank bar and restaurant, David Hage said he is expecting a phenomenal week.
He added: "We're expecting our busiest week ever.
"We've recruited extra staff, we're doubling our orders and we're open for breakfast every day. We're probably going to do 500 meals every day.
"We've done a huge campaign of planning for the event – it's the biggest we've done. We've planned for several months.
"It's fantastic for us. It's weeks like this that help the business thrive, with the good weather too. We're so excited about the event and the carnival atmosphere it creates.
"We're excited it's coming to Nottingham and it's great that we have recruited an extra 15 people for the week. Hopefully we'll stuff the Aussies too."
Another of the businesses preparing for the influx of visitors looking for somewhere to eat and drink is the Stratford Haven pub, in Stratford Road – just two minutes walk from the ground.
The pub is catering for fans with a special outside bar, extra beers from a variety of breweries and breakfast every day.
Colin Wilde, managing director of Castle Rock – the brewery that owns the pub, as well as the Poppy and Pint in nearby Lady Bay and the Vat and Fiddle near the train station – added: "The Ashes is a great event for Nottingham and a brilliant opportunity to show off our local beers and pubs to visitors from all over the world.
"It has been many months in the planning and at times it will literally be all hands to the pumps.
"We are sincerely grateful to our staff who lift their game when the Test Match is in town. We wish England and in particular the Notts players all the very best of luck."
With such a huge influx of people coming from outside of the county, many of the city's hotel rooms have been booked up for months.
Marcus Wright is the manager of the Acorn Hotel in Radcliffe Road, which is the closest place to stay to the ground.
He said: "Being situated next door, we're completely full up. People book yearly in advance, there's such a high demand.
"We have a lot of regular clients who come for Test Matches every year and because it's the Ashes people book well in advance. It's great."
And the leader of the county council has spoken of his pride and excitement as Notts gets ready to host the world's biggest cricket series.
Councillor John Allin, chairman of Notts County Council, said: "When the first ball is bowled, the eyes of the sporting world will be focused on Nottinghamshire.
"It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase what the county has to offer, not only in terms of our fantastic sporting facilities, but also our heritage, culture, tourism and commerce.
"It will give me huge pride to welcome our visitors from Australia and cricket fans throughout the UK to Nottinghamshire."
