9 minute read
6 HIDDEN GEMS
It’s not all about Robin Hood and Nottingham Forest around here, you know. In fact, there are loads of great places that keep things low key but are well worth a visit. Here are six of the best…
1. The Promenade
The Promenade is home to Nottingham's historic multi-coloured homes, which were originally built in the 1850s and were officially classed as listed buildings in the eighties. Honestly, it looks like something straight out of Balamory - except for the fact it’s located on the edge of a city centre, rather than by the sea.
2. Cobden Chambers
Home to some of Nottingham’s best independent creatives and businesses, Cobden Chambers can be found in one of the city’s secret alleyways. It can be easy to miss the entrance to the Chambers, but you will find it along Pelham Street if you look closely enough. Businesses that call Cobden their home include everyone from Studio Chocolate to jewellery designer Keishi.
3. Bromley House Library
The Bromley House Library was first established in 1816, before moving to its current location in Angel Row six years later. The independent lending library has hosted plenty of talks, Q&As and exhibitions over the years, and it is one of only few remaining subscription libraries still in existence in the UK today. If you’re a bookworm, this is definitely one to check out.
4. Sneinton Avenues
Situated behind the Motorpoint Arena, the Sneinton Avenues can be difficult to find unless you know where they are, but they’re definitely worth a visit. The square nearby hosts a regular weekend market, and the permanent units house an array of local businesses selling gifts and items that you can’t find elsewhere in the city. If you’re a fan of supporting indies, drop the Avenues a visit.
5. Lost Property
Lost Property is a bar which is well worth checking out… if you can find it! Even once you’ve spotted the entrance (hint - it’s on Carlton Street), they still don’t make it obvious how to get inside. Want another clue? "Go for the black one between the two reds," the door staff will say. What does that mean? You’ll have to find out for yourself.
6. Five Leaves Bookshop
Another one for bookworms is Five Leaves Bookshop, a quaint little store that can be found in an alleyway opposite the Nottingham Tourist Centre. It specialises in independent publishers, and you are sure to find an array of interesting reads that are truly one-of-a-kind, as well as your more recognisable releases.
GAME ON
interview: Jamie Morris
Gaming has become one of the most popular hobbies among young people – a trend University of Nottingham graduate Andy Wilson has witnessed first-hand. We speak to the COO of Sledgehammer Games about his time studying in Notts and how video games can benefit the latest generation of students...
Andy graduated from the School of Computer Science in 2001 and lived in Lenton while he studied there, just off the side of Derby Road. “There was a club called The Lenton which we used to go to a lot,” he tells us, describing it as the heart of their social lives. Andy and his mates also took frequent visits to Wollaton Park: “A bunch of us used to go running there.”
Not so long ago, Andy returned to Notts to give a lecture to his old Computer Science class, and while he believes the basics of uni life remain the same, he’s noticed that students are becoming more proactive in their learning than ever. “They’re more active in forming groups and clubs, and learning outside of just what the university delivers,” he says. “They seem a bit more organised and street-smart than we were.” He was also impressed by how UoN’s Jubilee Campus has evolved over the last twenty years, noting that while it was looking a little bit less shiny than before, it had grown “five times the size” and seemed to offer a lot more opportunities to the students that study there today.
When Andy first graduated, he began work at an investment bank before finally putting his foot in the door of the gaming industry. “It was a lot smaller then and it was quite hard to go straight in, as I was trying to go in as a producer/project manager, not as a coder or an artist.” Eventually, he found a job in Brighton that was looking for people with experience outside of gaming and kick-started his career as a creator.
Since then, Andy has worked at Disney, Ubisoft and 2K’s Hanger 13, before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Sledgehammer Games in June 2019. He says proudest achievement to date is Mafia III, a crime saga about a multiracial soldier returning to his home in the southern states following service in the Vietnam War.
“There was a lot of heavy narratives in there and a lot of really tough subjects,” Andy explains. “To get that right and have people say great things about it, and winning awards for it was really something quite amazing.” The developer urges students to consider getting into game creation themselves, due to the huge range of roles that are available for each production. “To produce a modern-day, what we would call, ‘triple-A’ video game, you’ve got so many different types of specialisations,” he says, listing concept art, animation, gameplay programming and level design among the many different ‘flavours’ involved in the process. “It will open up to you so many different roles and jobs that other people do that you can collaborate with. It’s kind of like film in that sense, but a game is an interactive thing and there’s a lot more complexity that goes into producing it.”
Andy notes how multiplayer-focused games, in particular, have seen rapid growth over the past few years, both in terms of how many are being made and the number of players that are getting involved. He believes that the creation process is a little different for these experiences, as the goal is not to create a complex story, but instead to provide a space where gamers can produce their own stories and memories together. “Sometimes it’ll actually surprise you what they’re able to do with it.”
According to Andy, rallying your new flatmates around the TV for a few rounds of your favourite multiplayer game is the perfect way to break the ice, even if some just want to spectate. “We call it ‘living-room-safe’ stuff like Fortnite, which is relatively inoffensive to everybody, but you can actually have quite a good experience playing it and watching it,” he added. “The chance you’ve already got a few people who are fans anyway is pretty likely... when you’re trying to get to know a bunch of new flatmates, that’s probably useful.”
Of course, this top notch guide provides almost everything you need to know about your new city. But if you want regular tips on what to see and where to go throughout the year, drop
these lot a follow…
LeftLion
Obviously, it goes without saying that first on the list is LeftLion. Founded in 2003, LeftLion is a group of journalists, illustrators, photographers and graphic designers who make a monthly magazine about all the cool stuff in Nottingham. We distribute 12,000 copies every month from our base in Sneinton, and you’ll be able to find us all over the city centre and the surrounding suburbs of Nottingham. With content ranging from interviews with local creatives to gig reviews, restaurant suggestions to deep-dives into local history, you can find everything you need to know about Nottingham inside the pages of a LeftLion or on our website, leftlion.co.uk.
@leftlionmagazine
My Nottingham
The official Instagram account for the Nottingham City Council is well worth a follow, especially if you are a fan of photography. Posting scenic photos of Notts, including landmarks such as Wollaton Hall and the Council House in Old Market Square, their page is sure to make you appreciate the beauty of the city you are studying in. And if you are a budding photographer yourself, you can even tag them in your own posts with #MyNottingham for the chance to have your shots reposted to their 24,000 followers.
@mynottingham
Floot
Want to get a feel for the best places to grab some food, sink some drinks or spend some spare time? Well, check out the Best Of section later in this magazine... But if you want regular suggestions popping up on your timeline, Floot have you covered. A new app and Insta page dedicated to showcasing Nottingham’s finest local businesses, this is a great, free place to get inspiration for every chill day or hefty night out in our city. Highlighting everything from pubs to clubs, cinemas to coffee bars, these lot are a must-follow.
@wearefloot
Nottingham Nightline
Nottingham Nightline is a student-led volunteering organisation, run by undergraduate and postgraduate volunteers from the University of Nottingham, that provides a confidential and anonymous point of contact for students at both unis. They aim to provide a safe and welcoming listening service for whoever requires it, allowing you to talk to someone about anything that is on your mind without any fear of judgement or identification. If you need help or advice, their DMs on Instagram are always open, or you can call 0115 951 4985 between 7pm-8am every night of term.
@nottinghamnightline
It’s In Nottingham
We feel like the clue’s in the name for this one, but we’ll add a little extra spiel just in case. Spotlighting all the biggest events from across Nottingham, from new business launches to must-visit attractions, this page is dedicated to celebrating everything that makes our city so special. Even better? They’re great at suggesting more family-friendly activities for when your gang from home come to visit. Even better? They run regular competitions, giving followers the chance to get their hands on everything from hybrid bicycles to festival tickets.
