From football legends to TV and movie stars - where to spot rich and famous
With Michelin-starred restaurants, awardwinning curry houses and the oldest pub in England located in the city it’s hardly surprising Nottingham attracts its fair share of A-lister visitors. But where are you most likey to see a famous face? LYNETTE PINCHESS discovers the celebrity hotspots
SOME cities have celebrity hotspots like Manchester’s Bijou Club and Red Door in Liverpool but when it comes to Nottingham you could bump into a famous face anywhere.
You might be tucking into a full English at an industrial estate cafe when a world champion boxer walks in, or spot a former Prime Minister enjoying a curry at one of Nottingham’s award-winning Indian restaurants.
Or perhaps you are having a walk around Wollaton Park when you spot one of Nottingham’s and the UK’S best-loved actresses.
Here’s a look at where celebrities like to eat, drink and play when they’re in Nottingham:
For first timers in Nottingham a visit to the pub said to be England’s oldest inn, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, is a must and Hollywood royalty are no different.
A-lister Emilio Estevez, star of St Elmo’s Fire and Stakeout, enjoyed some downtime at the centuries-old pub next to Nottingham Castle, when he came to the city for WE Day, a celebration recognising the charity work and community involvement of young people.
“There were a couple of folks in a pub the other night that sat down with me and they said ‘Oh god, forgive me for going mental...’” said the star, who had a standout meal at the Trip.
“The steak and ale pie at the Trip to Jerusalem - that was amazing.”
Landlord Karl Gibson said: “He was lovely and very genuine.”
The Trip is a celebrity hotspot, having welcomed The Killers, Sir Ian Mckellen, Tony Hadley and WWE superstars in the past.
Footie stars Steven Gerrard and Gary
Mcallister played alongside each other at Liverpool, worked together at Rangers and last month reunited when Aston Villa boss Gerrard appointed his old pal assistant manager.
We don’t know if they were discussing tactics over a fish supper at Nottingham restaurant Crazy Fish My Love but they certainly enjoyed their visit at the beginning of December.
Restaurant owner Edin Gondzic, who rustled up Dover sole for Gerrard, said: “They were absolutely lovely and it was our pleasure to have them.”
The duo posed for a photo with staff at the restaurant in Carlton Street, Hockley.
Edin added: “They were very friendly with all the staff and were very happy to take a couple of pictures with fans outside the restaurant.”
Homegrown talent and Line of Duty star Vicky Mcclure has been busy filming a new thriller for 2022 about the work of the Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad.
But when she’s chilling back home in Nottingham, she likes nothing better than to take in the scenery at Wollaton Park, which holds a special place in her heart as the place where she and fiancé Jonny Owen shared a photo to announce their engagement and it’s the location for the annual Memory Walk, which she supports. Back in October, you might have spotted Vicky with another Nottingham legend, two Michelin-starred Sat Bains, who was selling his Momma Bains curries and samosas from a van in the park.
Vicky is also a fan of award-winning Indian restaurant Memsaab, which is no stranger to welcoming famous faces, amongst them Cliff Richard and David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff.
Vicky was joined by her crew after filming Without Sin, a new psychological thriller, being shot in Nottingham.
Earlier this year former Prime Minister John Major walked through the doors at Memsaab, in Maid Mar
ian Way, for a curry.
Amita Sawhney, who runs the restaurant, said: “We knew we had a VIP coming and were thrilled when former PM, John Major, walked in the door.
“He’s really quite chatty and friendly. He knows his Indian cuisine for sure and made a point to compliment the chefs.”
It’s not every day you get a world champion through the door so staff at Quayside Cafe at Colwick were delighted when they spotted boxer Leigh Wood.
The featherweight boxing world champion, from Gedling, popped in to the industrial estate cafe that opened earlier this year for a breakfast of eggs benedict.
“He sat happily in one of our booths chatting to people,” said manager Rachael Walker. Quayside Cafe has also catered for Nick Knowles and Stacey Solomon when they were filming nearby.
Before heading off he happily posed with ‘Unbearleafable,’ part of the 2021 Bears of Sheffield sculpture trail, which was auctioned off for charity and is now on display at the cafe at Colwick Quays Business Park.
British rapper Headie One joined Nottingham hip hot duo Young T & Bugsey at their favourite haunt in the city centre, Saracens Cafe.
Saqib Kataria, the restaurant’s managing director, said Headie One loved his cake and added it was a pleasure to welcome the trio, who had been on stage at Rock City.
And they’re not the only famous faces to visit the restaurant in Lower Parliament Street, which specialises in gourmet burgers, mocktails, and shisha.
Comedian Tez Ilyas, “a wonderful character and down to earth guy”, stopped by after his gig at the Glee Club and international cricketers Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood couldn’t keep away.
Saqib Kataria said: “It was a big surprise to have Headie One come down, being a big name in the music industry at the moment.
“They all came for a proper meal and shisha too so was nice to have them at Saracens Cafe feeling comfortable and great to see that they felt like they could act as if it was their local.
“Saqib Mahmood and Luke Wood [of Lancashire County Cricket club] actually came three days in a row as they were playing against Nottinghamshire at the time.
“I think what brought them all here is the relationship we have with people locally, who knew these people and the fact we give the confidence to the local people that Saracens is the place to be to bring your guests whether they are superstars or not, offering great hospitality and service.”
Former international cricketer Chris Broad was never afraid to speak his mind and his career had its controversial moments - he got into trouble when he refused to leave after being given out against Pakistan in 1987 - but he was bowled over when he dined out at Old Volunteer at Caythorpe.
Broad, who was eating out with his wife and a couple of friends, happily posed for a selfie with head chef Hira Thakur, who recently left Restaurant Six to work there.
She may be a lioness in the ring but WWE pro Mercedes Varnado, aka Sasha Banks, is a pussycat at heart and totally fell in love with Nottingham’s Kitty Cafe.
The wrestling star tweeted a photo with one of the cats, saying: “I’m having the best day ever.”
She’s not the only celebrity to visit the cafe in Maid Marian Way. Danny John-jules, who played The Cat, in Red Dwarf, took a break from his appearance at EMCON to meet the cafe’s felines.