5 ways you'd like to see Nottingham's Victoria Market transformed for the better

Nottingham World readers have been sharing their thoughts on what the Victoria Centre Market should be turned into after it closes this Summer. 

Last December the market’s operator, Nottingham City Council, confirmed that the site would close in the Summer after months of speculation. 

The council said that “an ever-decreasing number of loyal customers” and “increased service charges” influenced its decision to close the market, which has been in the Victoria Centre since 1971. 

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A closing date for the market has not yet been confirmed, leaving the traders that remain in limbo. 

When Nottingham World visited the market in early February, fewer than a quarter of its units were occupied. 

Once the market’s 53-year history ends this summer, the future of its once-bustling space in the Victoria Centre remains unclear. 

Until then, the market will remain open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday. 

We asked our readers for their suggestions on what the market should be turned into after it closes.. 

Here are five of the most popular suggestions. 

Keep it as a market

Nina’s suggestion to keep the space as a market received plenty of support on Facebook. 

In its heyday the market had more than 200 occupied stalls and attracted around 2.5 million shopper visits each year, but is a return to those heights possible in 2024?

We know that the market in its current form will close within a few months, but here’s to hoping that plans for a new trading space are proposed as a replacement. 

Food court

William thinks the market should be turned into a food court. 

There are already multiple food and drink outlets in the Victoria Centre, but maybe a space for independent food stalls could be a viable addition. 

Would you like to see more food and drink options in the shopping centre? 

Soft play centre 

Rachelle wants the market to be turned into a soft play centre for children. 

She says that most of the existing soft play centres are on the outskirts of town, requiring transport. 

Calling all parents: do you think the city centre would benefit from a soft play centre? 

Cinema 

One reader suggested that the space should be turned into a cinema. 

This is an interesting shout because there isn’t currently a cinema in the Victoria Centre. 

With no Vue or Odeon cinemas in Nottingham, there certainly is scope for another cinema to open in the city. 

Nightclub 

Paul thinks that the market should be transformed into a nightclub after it closes. 

Given that the Victoria Centre is closed by 6pm on Saturday nights, it’s unlikely that this idea would ever gain much traction. 

The city’s nightlife scene took a hit earlier this month after the popular PRYZM nightclub suddenly closed.