Ok...but not as good as it was (Shopping in Nottingham in general)

Member Name: candyfloss89

Product:	Shopping in Nottingham in general
Date:	29/06/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: shopping centres are in walking distance of each other, has most of the major high street stores

Disadvantages: old and outdated broadmarsh

I lived in Nottingham until 2007 when I moved to Leicester for my university course. I'd always enjoyed shopping in Nottingham but it was only being away from home and visiting other citys that I realised exactly what were lacking in the shopping department!

BROADMARSH SHOPPING CENTRE
In 2007, a three redevelopment plan was announced for the Broadmarsh. I've now heard that this has been delayed but in my opinnion it couldn't come soon enough because the centre is very outdated with few new shops. It has a few major high street stores such as Boots, Argos and BHS but that's it really. It could really do with a few more well known brands to become a mix of well known stores and smaller stores. Currently, it seems to be occupied by lots of smaller, often useless stores.
It has a really bad selection of clothes stores. There is a huge TK Maxx and a good Dorothy Perkins but apart from that, there's lots of smaller shops selling cheaper and often tacky looking clothes. For example shops such as Pashion, Pilot and Admire all sell cheap clothing but aren't always the greatest quality. I'd love to see some of these shops replaced with some of the more well known clothing brands. Maybe a Mango or Oasis or something like that. Yes these shops would be more expensive but at least the overall clothing quality would improve. It could also do with some decent shoe shops too.
I guess what Broadmarsh is a good shopping spot for is cards and books and little gift ideas. With Best Wishes, Card Factory, Card Zone, Book Extra and Paper kisses there's plenty of choice at relativley cheap prices. There's also quite a few homeware stores too like Textiles Direct, C Furniture and Evolution.
I also like Diamonds and Peals which shows unique jewellery which you probably wouldn't find in other shops. I guess this odd mixture of shops could be seen as a positive because it gives the centre something unique and unusual. However, personally I avoid the centre as much as possible!

THE VICTORIA CENTRE
The Victoria Centre is the best known shopping centre in Nottingham. It's certainly my favourite of the two shopping centres as I feel it is the most modern with the best selection of stores.
You can expect to find the usual high street stores like Next, WH Smiths, Boots, John Lewis and Tesco and unlike the Broadmarsh, it has a nice selection of clothes shops too such as a large Topshop, Jane Norman, Dorothy Perkins, Republic and Monsoon.
As well as these well know shops there's a nice collection of good quality smaller shops. For example, Sweets from Heaven is a tiny shop located upstairs in the centre. Despite being tiny, it's full of unusual and novelty sweets including large swirly lollipops, jellybeans, and pez dispensers. And Hawkins Bizarre is full of unusual gifts and lots of retro classic childhood toys so it is fun to explore. Build a Bear is another fun shop, full of cuddly toys which you chose and then dress!
It's definitley worth a visit and is ever expanding. With Bay Trading just closed down and Woolworths still empty, there's space for two new shops to open and the recent addition of a Subway has provided the centre with a much needed cafe!

OTHER SHOPS
The shopping centre is compact which is a major advantage of shopping in Nottingham. It's within walking distance to walk between the two centres which means you can visit them both in the same day without too much of a problem.
I find that the best shops are actually situated outside, between the two shopping ventre such as the fantastic, 3 floor, New Look which can be found just outside the Broadmarsh and the large Primark situated by the Market Square. This is where I do most of my shopping.
In the summer, it's nice to shop all the outdoor shops then sit by the fountains in the Market Square, which has recent been renevated and is beautiful in the summer.

SUMMARY
A good shopping centre but not the best. It has the potential to be an excellent shopping centre if rennovations are completed and New shopd open up.
I find the new Highcross in Leicester to have a far better selection of shops.

Summary: A good shopping day out but not the best!