'The council ignores our brilliant shopping area - we urgently need help'

SNEINTON MARKET TRADERS WANT SIGNS PUTTING UP TO DRAW MORE CUSTOMERS TO THE AVENUES

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

INDEPENDENT businesses in a bohemian shopping area have slammed Nottingham City Council for “ignoring” them as they call for better promotion and signposting.

Traders at the transformed Sneinton Market shopping quarter say the vibrant area is one of the best and fastest-growing parts of the city.

Made up of eclectic small businesses including bars, bakeries, record shops, chocolate makers and even a music venue, the market has changed dramatically after shaking off its once-rough reputation.

But traders say the city council - which owns and manages the units - does not promote the market enough. This means most shoppers stumble upon the area by chance - something businesses say would change if signs were put around the city centre directing visitors to the market.

But despite repeated calls and “years of banging the drum”, this hasn't happened, and businesses say it’s now affecting trade.

“I think we're a real pull for the city but people just stumble upon us and it’s a shame,” says Luisa Vicinanza-Bedi, who runs Louisa’s Vegan Chocolates.

One of the market's longest-standing businesses, Louisa opened her chocolatiers in 2018 and it has since gained attention across the country, even being sold in Selfridges department stores.