‘Ghost town’ fears for Bulwell
RESIDENTS WANT AREA TO BE FIRST IN LINE FOR ‘LEVELLING UP’ CASH AS MORE SHOPS CLOSE
PEOPLE in Bulwell are concerned about the town’s future and feel that there will soon be “nothing left” in the area.
There have been calls for more investment and a greater police presence in the town.
Bulwell should be “top of the list” in terms of getting Government Levelling-up cash, according to residents.
Last week it was announced that the Boots shop on Bulwell’s Main Street will close in August. And the Natwest bank in the same street closed last month.
People fear that Bulwell is becoming a “ghost town”.
Stewart Pates, 66, who lives nearby, said: “It’s a worrying time for Bulwell – there are too many charity shops nowadays, I think. It’s just become run down and it’s in serious need of an injection of money into it.
“That’s something I’ve thought for a while. It really is becoming a ghost town. With an injection of money we could get more people into the market place because that’s what it needs. I’ve lived here all my life and now a lot of what you see is not a lot of life and shops with the shutters down.”
Hobsons, a clothing shop in the town centre, has also just closed. And Bulwell lost its Argos branch in 2020.
Janet Hodson, 53, who lives in Ragdale Road, said: “It’s not a good look for the high street at all really. There are a few too many places closing down over the last few years for my liking.
“I didn’t shop in there much (Hobsons) and to be honest I usually head into the city to do mine now.
“I don’t think a lot of people do as much shopping on the high street any more.
“It’s not so busy round here as it used to be. A lot of it’s done online. But it’s not great for Bulwell.”
A number of independent businesses, like Budget Wise in Commercial Road which shut earlier this year, have now also left behind shuttered shops.
Gregg Marrow, 51, said: “I’ve always enjoyed heading in here and I never really tended to agree that it was going downhill at all. But with the recent Boots closure and some other places closing down it does feel like we’re losing a bit too much.
“People still come here, but for how much longer if all you see is charity shops and barbers? And I don’t even mind having them but we have too many.”
Former plumber Gary Thomas, 59 has lived in the area all his life. He said: “Bulwell should be at the top of the list for getting more money in the area. I’ve watched the place go downhill.
“Bulwell used to be a great place. A few shops have closed but there’s still a fair few in the area. If more closures continue to happen, things will get bad. We’ve lost the bank, we’ve lost Boots – that’s not a good thing.”
Fred Bradshaw, 60, has worked on the market for 52 years.
Between serving customers on his fruit and veg stall, he said: “Bulwell’s antisocial behaviour needs to be sorted out.
“The older generation won’t come around this area,” he said, adding that he would like to see a greater police presence.
Teaching assistant Chantell Lloyd, 24, said: “If you go to Sherwood, there’s loads of shops to go into that are all different.
“West Bridgford is the same – it’s great for shopping and socialising. If Bulwell was like that, the area would be so much better.
“Here, the one good thing about Bulwell, I’d say, is the people. Shops open and before you know it, they’ve closed again. It’s not good.”