Nottingham Love to Shop
Shop-a-holics, you're in for a treat! Nottingham has got quite a reputation when it comes to retail therapy, and there is certainly plenty to choose from. You'll find all the major chains and fashion stores alongside independent boutiques, designer shops and thrift markets.
You've grabbed a coffee and you're raring to go! First place to check out is the Victoria Centre, in the middle of the city. Undercover, so you won't get wet when it's (invariably) raining, there are over 100 shops here to keep you busy, with the major high street brands like Next, Top Shop, John Lewis, House of Fraser Monsoon, Superdrug and Boots.
When you're all spent out there, head towards the enormous TK Maxx designer outlet store and grab a bargain, where you'll find great deals on clothes, shoes and home-ware. Situated in the Westfield Broadmarsh Centre, you'll also find other budget high street stores like Argos and BHS.
It's time for something a little classier now, so let's make our way to the beautiful Exchange and the FH Mall, built on the site of the old Flying Horse Inn. This shopping arcade is enclosed by the stunning glass ceiling, and there's an eclectic mix of boutiques and stylish brands, such as Karen Millen, Warehouse and Viyella. This elegant centre is also home to some great designer names. You'll find Vivienne Westwood and Jaeger sitting comfortably here.
In-keeping with the sophisticated and designer theme, now head to the Lace Market District. You can grab a spot of lunch and rest your weary shopping feet in one of the lovely café bars and watch the world go by. When you're relaxed and refreshed, explore the cobbled streets and crooked alleyways, and you'll find that they're home to some of the most beautiful boutique shops in Nottingham. Nottingham's designer Son, Paul Smith, opened his flagship store here and it sits next to many other designer labels.
If independent cool and vintage chic are more your style, then Derby Road and Maid Marion Way is where it's at for you. Elegant boutiques and unique lifestyle and furniture shops line the streets here, so you're bound to find something stylishly different. Hockley Village, is next to the Lace Market, and has been dubbed as Nottingham's answer to Soho, so you'll find a great mix of new age shops, vintage dens, arts stores and cinemas. It hasn't always been so classy though. It is most famous for being the birthplace of Sir Jesse Boot, founder of Boots the Chemist, who was born into poverty here in the mid nineteenth century.
For a more down-to-earth shopping experience, Mansfield Road is a riot of colourful international restaurants and take-aways, fancy dress shops, second hand book shops and record stores.
And after all that, if you're still on your feet and want to show off your new glad-rags then check out our Nottingham Drinking page for all the information on the city's night hot spots!
