The disconnected Younger voters are unsure politics can change anything

A handmade banner bearing the words "Generation Fucked" hangs in the window of Earache Records in Nottingham. It is a relic of a past band signed by the label long ago.

- Hannah Al-Othman

But the red and black lettering also spells out a rallying cry for the city's youth.

Nottingham is one of Britain's youngest cities, with a median age of 31. Here young people told the Guardian of their heartfelt concerns about the job market, the economy, housing, international conflicts and climate change.

At the last general election, nationwide only 54% of 18-to 25-year-olds voted. Young people say it is not simply an apathy problem but rather a case of not knowing which party will address these issues.

While young people may be less likely to engage than older generations, they are still a significant electoral force. On 13 June, 330,619 people registered to vote, the highest number of registrations in a single day this year, and 179,285 of them were under 34.

Earache Records sits in Sneinton Market, in the constituency of Nottingham East, alongside many other arty, independent businesses selling chocolates, art prints and craft beer. Many of the firms are staffed and owned by people of a similar age to their clientele.

Here, there is widespread dissatisfaction with the government and a real appetite for change. But young voters are less clear on what that change should look like.

"I definitely don't want the current government," Charlie Dean, 27, said. She runs The Watered Garden, which sells the houseplants beloved by millennials and gen Z. "This is my first year as a business owner," she added. "The cost of everything is rising and customers aren't spending as much money."

Brexit too had had an impact because many of her plants are imported from the Netherlands.

She normally votes Labour, but feels "a bit let down by Labour as well at the moment". She is not a fan of Keir Starmer, and does not agree with the party's position on Gaza. Dean is considering voting Green, "but everyone jokes about how that's a wasted vote".