It’s no secret that high streets across the UK aren’t what they once were.
With many of us now shopping online, there is less demand for physical shops in our towns and cities.
According to the GMB union, more than 420,000 traditional retail jobs have been lost since 2010, which highlights just how drastic the decline in physical shopping has been in recent years.
Read more: Your Nottingham
Sadly, Nottingham is by no means exempt from this trend.
The city’s retail landscape has dramatically over the past decade-and-a-half, with much-loved brands such as Woolworths, British Home Stores and Wilko disappearing completely.
In the spirit of nostalgia, we’ve picked out 5 iconic shops that Nottingham has lost in recent years, while taking a look at what they are now.
1. Disney store
All Disney stores in the UK closed in 2021, except the flagship store in London’s Oxford Street. Nottingham’s Victoria Centre outlet was one of the casualties after being a mainstay at Unit 303 for years. Unit 303 is now home to Office. | Inside the Magic/Flickr Photo: Inside the Magic/Flickr
2. Debenham store, Nottingham
Nottingham’s Debenhams store, in Long Row, closed in 2021 after the clothing chain went into administration. Despite being given Grade II listed status the following year, the building remains empty. Last year it was reported that London-based investment firm Longmead Capital had approached Nottingham City Council, with the potential to take on the building. As of yet, no planning application has been submitted. | Stephen McKay/GeographPhoto: Stephen McKay/Geograph
3. Blockbuster, Nottingham
Blockbuster went bust in January 2013 and by December of that year all its UK stores had closed, including this one in Lenton Boulevard. Before its troubles began, Blockbuster has 528 stores across the UK. The Lenton Boulevard Building remained empty until 2020, when it became an Indian restaurant called Chaska. | GooglePhoto: Google
4. Wilko, Notts
All of Nottingham’s 15 Wilko stores closed last Autumn after the homeware chain went bust, including this one in Lower Parliament Street. It has since been confirmed by CDS Superstores, which purchased the Wilko brand and website, that some stores will gradually be reopened in 2024. However, there hasn’t yet been word on if any of Nottingham’s stores will reopen. As such, the Lower Parliament Street store remains empty. | GooglePhoto: Google