Sadness as days of market's cafes draw to an end

UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR REMAINING VICTORIA CENTRE BUSINESSES AS CLOSURE LOOMS

- LYNETTE PINCHESS

THERE'S nothing pretentious about Cafe Victoria in the fast-fading heart of Nottingham's indoor market.

Good honest grub at affordable prices and friendly service are at the core of the cafe in Victoria Market - the only one with windows and a panoramic view of the city.

Up until last weekend there were three cafes in the ailing market but the impending closure spelt the end for Frothy Coffee last weekend.

This week the famous bear that stood there for many years looked lost behind the bars of that cafe's locked gate.

For now Cafe Victoria and Tracey's Cafe are pressing on, still serving the breakfasts, fish and chips, jacket potatoes and other great British classics they're known and loved for.

Sherif Assad has run Cafe Victoria for 12 years and knows his customers by name.

Although Nottingham City Council announced that the market within Victoria Centre will be closing on March 31, some of the traders said they hadn't been given a date so they're continuing as usual.

Mr Assad said he was awaiting to hear how much compensation he will receive.

"I don't know at the minute. It's difficult for me and my customers," he said.

While his customers have said they want him to open elsewhere and have pledged their support, he said: "I haven't thought about it. I will see what I can afford. I don't want to commit to anything too soon."