Gedling Eye readers and local residents have been sharing their thoughts on what could be done to secure the future of Carlton Square.
The shopping centre has seen a sharp decline in footfall since major retailers abandoned the site, with Wilkos going into administration and Boots pulling down the shutters on their on-site chemist.
Farmfoods recently began work on expanding their current store after snapping up the now-empty Wilkos unit next door. The new-look Farmfoods is set to open next month.
But many traders and shoppers using the centre don’t think the arrival of a larger Farmfoods will be enough to revive the fortunes of the shopping centre.
But what could be done to breathe life into the site? Our reporter Emily Sanchez headed over to the Square to get the current thoughts of shoppers.
Beverley Wilson, 76, has been shopping at the centre since moving to the area 10 years ago.
She thinks it should become a hub for thriving independent businesses.
“I think they should try and encourage more independent shops to the centre,” she said.
“We’ve got Victoria Retail Park down the road which is a magnet for the bigger names like Boots and Starbucks so I think they should focus on bringing more independent stores here.
“It would be nice to support a few more young entrepreneurs rather than just filling the pockets of the fatcats who run the big chains.”
Randolph Okonedo, 37, thought the focus should shift to food.
“It could become a wonderful food market, he said.
You’ve got Square Bar serving beers so you could surround that with different food outlets serving things like Jamaican, Thai and Sushi.
“You could have events here too. Silent discos, quizzes, artists playing live.
“It could be really lively with a cafe culture type of vibe up here.”
Peter Arnold, 56, has lived in Carlton all his life and he thinks the centre should be demolished, with existing retailers being offered
“I concur with a recent view shared in your letters section in Gedling Eye,” he said.
“It’s a concrete monstrosity. I like the independents here and they are badly being let down by the surroundings.”
“The council should move them to Netherfield down the road, giving them free rent on a unit for a year as compensation. There is footfall down there, even more so since Heron Foods opened up. It would help them; they would stand a chance down there and it would also help Netherfield.
“This should be knocked down and turned into a green space. A pond, benches, trees. Somewhere you can relax. That’s what the area needs.”
Lacey Wright, 22, would like to see a children’s indoor play area come to the Square.
‘You could knock a few of the empty units into one and turn it into an indoor play centre for young children,” the mother-of-one said.
“There isn’t anything like that round here and it would definitely help the cafes as they could serve drinks to the parents
Plans to revamp the centre have been presented to Gedling Borough Council with site owners Waypoint Asset Management planning to create new shop fronts, street furniture, improved lighting, and landscaping.
In 2020, an identical plan was approved, however, it was never implemented.
Its an old style precinct that is dark, confined and not very welcoming. Pity its privately owned as nothing will change as its all down to the money.
Carlton square has been there as long as I remember. It would be an idea to open a smaller retail park in Gedling on the site of Gedling school not more houses . People don’t realise when you don’t drive getting to these places can take virtual all morning let’s the people of Gedling area have there share of decent shops ect . It would serve the community of the pit estate that was the new chase farm as well
I have lived in the Carlton area most of my life and I thought having the hair dressers come there greengrocers have surport and bread shop what else bring aB&M in the square sort the pathway out for disabled scooters brighten the square up and clean it up
Abandoned and forgotten by GBC who are solely focused on everything Arnold. I’ve lived in Carlton for easy over 54 years and can remember when the Square was quite vibrant as the GBC offices were there. But since it moved to Arnold, the new gem in GBC crown it’s treated with disdain and contempt. I remember the new plans and the very first initial investment figure of over 700k, whittled down to 300k, whittled down to a badly designed car park and boarded up derelict site. The favouritism shown to Arnold in all aspects is nothing short of truly sickening. The lies perpetuated by GBC over what they say they have completed grow ever bigger. A prime example..,” we have provided more bins in Carlton Square”. You’re a bunch of liars. You stole them from the bus stops and relocated them. That’s not extra. I had to fight you tooth and nail to get the two benches replaced at the Square junction with Cavo Rd, destroyed by car accidents. Tooth and nail. Took me dozens of phone calls being passed from pillar to post, anything but getting it done. You were quite happy to not bother replacing them. The streets are disgusting, leaves, weeds and huge amounts of rubbish everywhere yet I see the same main road swept time and time again most mornings at the cost of all the others omitted. You find 3 million in an instant for the Amp in Arnold but bugger all for Carlton Square. Don’t you dare try and make out your fair, it’s so biased towards Arnold it makes me sick. Level up the playing fields and share out the investment like you truly should.