School move will be bad for business
FLOODING FEARS ALSO AIRED OVER PROPOSED NEW SITE
BUSINESS owners have voiced their concerns over the proposal to move a school which is ‘the heart of the community.’
Shopkeepers are concerned that removing the Lady Bay School from the area will ‘significantly’ impact their businesses.
Many have also raised their worries about the site where the school will be moved to.
The school, currently in Trent Boulevard, could be relocated to an open area off Regatta Way, which typically floods during heavy rain and when the River Trent bursts its banks, it has been claimed.
Kate Cox, who runs a zero waste store on Trent Boulevard, said: “It would be a shame to lose the school as it is in the heart of the community.
“We get customers from the school and it is lovely to have it so close to us.”
Also a mum of two girls who go to Lady Bay School, she added: “I understand the decision because the school is just crowded.
“In my view, they could keep the infants here and the juniors could go to another site.”
Ms Cox has also voiced her concerns around the new location of the school: “I am concerned about that, considering the floods in the area.
“I think people will take that into consideration too - the whole idea just needs more thought in my opinion.”
Jan Skipper, 61, from Cheff Nutrition restaurant on Trent Boulevard, said: “We have loads of customers coming from school, especially children who come here for lunch between 2pm and 4pm.
“It will definitely have an impact on us.
“We have many parents coming here for a coffee with their children - it is a great atmosphere.
“It is important to have that support local businesses are struggling as it is.”
Dorota Biedrzycka is the owner of Snail and Rabbit, a multipurpose business with a training studio and tea store based on Trent Boulevard.
The 30-year-old mum said: “I do not know how it is going to affect my business to be fair.
“I think it would be worse not to have the school here because we are more visible to customers if we are near where the school is.
“I have an 8-year-old who goes to this school and I also live in the area.
“It is so much easier to have everything in one place.”
In March, the county council’s Policy Committee agreed on the recommendation to approve council-owned land to the east of Regatta Way being used for a new school site.
There are also plans for a new secondary school.
The decision was made largely down to the local area’s increasing demand for school places in fit-for-purpose facilities, but is still subject to planning consultation among other reports.
Nottinghamshire County Council was contacted for comment but had not replied at the time of going to press.
It would be a shame to lose the school as it is in the heart of the community.
Kate Cox