The director of a Nottingham property consultant regenerating Bridlesmith Gate and Byard Lane has said no further businesses are at risk of closure in the area.
Local firm ALB Group has acquired 11 properties in that area, along with another 3 units in Lister Gate, and has teamed up with Nottingham-based Box Property Consultants to develop that end of the city centre.
Before the pandemic struck, Bridlesmith Gate was home to some of the most stylish retailers in the city, but a number of shop closures, the impact of the Broadmarsh shopping centre collapse and Covid have hit the area hard.
Box Property is currently finding tenants for those spaces that stand empty, and its director Ben Tebbutt confirmed no further businesses are at risk of closure on Bridlesmith Gate or Byard Lane.
He said: "Those that are here are doing well despite the tough conditions and we want to work with them and bring others in that will ultimately help the existing operators.
"As an example, Coco Tang occupies a big chunk of the space within the building but they've adapted their business over the years and they're a great example of how to be successful in this day and age.
"People want a whole experience, they want to come and have a cup of coffee, have some food, see something new - online shopping is so easy these days that customers want that new experience."
Mr Tebbutt says good progress is being made in finding tenants to fill the empty units.
He said: "We've got a good level of interest, we're speaking to a couple of jewellers and 3 or 4 retailers along with a couple of coffee operators too.
"That is the sort of mix we want - we definitely want some retail to complement what's there already too along with another coffee operator.
"Bridlesmith Gate has historically been the premier retailing location in Nottingham and most know Nottingham because of it, and it's stagnated over the previous few years.
"But now there are opportunities for independent local businesses here which there has not been previously."
And local shoppers are pleased that this area of the city centre is being invested in.
Lynn Burges, 62, a retired teacher from West Bridgford, said: "At the moment, it looks a terrible sight and this part of town is really dead.
"Anyone that's coming in to bring it back to life can only be a good thing - I would hope that it will not be all high end shops, maybe a bit of a mix."
Some would like to see some of the developments have a focus on encouraging people to spend time together.
Raf Baron, 39, from The Meadows, who owns small business Feedback Coach, said: "It seems like everything that's happening in town is student accommodation, or shops - one or the other.
"I get it, we need more money and more money for the city, but it would be nice if people could do something together as well, and not necessarily spend a lot of cash if you want to take the family out or hang out with friends or network.
"If a right balance can be found, then that would be nice."
