Nottingham and a Retro Vintage Lover’s Dream!

22May
by Cherryl

Whilst in Nottingham (UK) recently, I came across a shop that I think every vintage retro/vintage shopper will love. Maybe you’ve already been and seen it, or you’ve found something even better – if you have, do tell.

Nottingham is not far from from Derby, with plenty of historic charm and of course, another great shopping city, perfect for an idle wander and vintage shopper – it seems!

Nottingham City Centre

Sue Ryder Vintage and Retro Shop

I came across this shop. It made me do a double take as I glanced through the window and unassuming entrance. @suerydernottingham

I wanted to share this because I love a nosey around antiques/vintage stores. You can find really interesting, rare and great quality bits if you’re lucky. Mainstream modern shops can get a bit boring, same old same old, often lacking in character – so it’s great to mix things up.

I thought Sue Ryder was just a run of the mill charity shop. I had no idea they did these specialist branches – great idea.

I had a lovely chat with the lady working in the shop that day, and she told me there is another one of these specialist vintage stores in Leicester. Coincidently I happened to be in Leicester not long after and found it, but it’s a very small version, no furniture – nothing like the Nottingham store.

I spent ages looking and soaking it all up, the ambience of the shop and all the unbelievably quirky bits and bobs on display – like you would in a museum. They’re easy going about talking photographs, they just ask that you link them on your social media  – fair enough!

The Rise of Vintage Shopping

There were quite a few vintage shops in Nottingham (and just generally, there seem to be a lot more in towns and cities these days)…is vintage becoming the new ‘new’? Seems like it, judging by its popularity across social media platforms and mushrooming high street boutiques.

“While adopting a greener mindset, consumers have fallen for the romance of archival looks. There’s just something about vintage pieces that is extra special” Vogue, Biggest Vintage Trends of 2022

Another random vintage shop in a beautiful building

Other observations

Before this – it had been years and years since I’d last visited Nottingham to catch up with a friend. It’s strange how the city didn’t seem anything like the memories I had, maybe my memories of it had faded or it’s simply changed a lot.

I vaguely remember going on a trip through Sherwood Forest many years ago back in my school days, but it’s all a blur now – wish I’d taken some pictures, or it might be nice to do it again at some point.

Cat cafes

Are these coming to a town near you? I saw a big cat cafe in Nottingham, with lots of cats inside and plenty of sofas and chairs to sit – amidst wandering cats. I also remember seeing one in Liverpool, and another one in York, where the queue to get inside was spreading down the street. Seems like a growing trend.

When I read about the owl cafes people visit in Japan, I liked the sound of visiting one of those, but now I don’t think I’d be so keen on the idea. Owls shouldn’t be cooped up in cafes – unless they choose to fly by!

Owl street art: spotted along the Nottingham Canal

The buses

I don’t think I’ve been to any town or city where the buses are not all an agreed colour. Like London, they picked red and everyone’s clear on that.

In Nottingham the buses are every colour under the sun. Red, yellow, pink, brown, different shades of blue, green, purple…..

Nottingham couldn’t decide.

Interesting shop fronts

Spaghetti anyone?

Who is the brightest of them all….

Where magicians stock up on tricks!

Lots of ornate architecture

Spot of lunch with interesting chandeliers

Lastly, a few interesting things about Nottingham

  • “Nottingham is a very historic city, and is reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in the UK.” Travel Moments in Time
  • “Nottingham was originally called Snotengaham. It was ruled by a Saxon chief named Snot, and the name translates to the homestead of Snot’s people.”/caves ‘ JSVXC blog
  • “Nottingham has the biggest market square in England, at 5.5 acres” Nottinghamshire Live

Market Square behind the tram

29 thoughts on “Nottingham and a Retro Vintage Lover’s Dream!”

  1. Pingback: Brighton: A Vintage Shopper's Paradise -

    1. Cherryl – UK – This and that, an all rounder!! If it amuses, entertains, inspires or proves useful to just one person then it's doing its job! God bless x 💛🔆🌴🎨🌼✈️

      Cherryl

      Lol, not really – popular children’s author way back in the day. The vintage fashion and home interiors scene is more of a growing trend on the UK high streets these days though, great for a curious browse✨

      Reply
        1. Cherryl – UK – This and that, an all rounder!! If it amuses, entertains, inspires or proves useful to just one person then it's doing its job! God bless x 💛🔆🌴🎨🌼✈️

          Cherryl

          India and Emid – that’s interesting. When I visited India – I remember my guide saying that on the whole, anyone who can read and write English is considered ‘a scholar’ in India (hefty title), so I guess they hold a lot of those English classics in very high esteem too. Vintage and antique bits always add a lot of character to a home, love that 🏡

          Reply
  5. jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques – I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

    jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

    Looks just like what I love-vintage shops. Are all the restrictions gone now in UK? I’ve been wanting to travel again, but I want to enjoy myself not be hounded by too many restrictions. Great post. I enjoyed reading it.

    Reply
    1. Cherryl – UK – This and that, an all rounder!! If it amuses, entertains, inspires or proves useful to just one person then it's doing its job! God bless x 💛🔆🌴🎨🌼✈️

      Cherryl

      Thanks Jenny 😊 The vintage scene is on the rise for sure, everywhere I go I’m noticing this and it never gets boring!!

      Yes it seems like all the restrictions are pretty much redundant in the UK at the moment (forms/tests/vaccines/masks) so it’s a good time to visit. 🤗

      Most up to date info:
      https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

      Reply
      1. jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques – I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

        jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

        Great. Thanks for providing the link. I am ready to travel. Your blog has some very interesting articles about traveling. I enjoy reading it. Have a wonderful week.

        Reply
          1. jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques – I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

            jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

            You’re very welcome. I’ll continue reading your blog for more travel ideas. . .It will probably be next spring before I can go somewhere, so I am gathering information right now. . .hopefully all will go well. . .Thanks, again. . .

            Reply
  6. debscarey – Billingshurst, West Sussex UK – Writer, Reader, Photographer and Random Scribbler. The random scribbling happens at Debs Despatches, I'm a writer for hire at Debs Carey, and I co-host Fiction Can Be Fun, where my fiction and #IWSG reflections can be found. All links below.

    debscarey

    Never been to Nottingham, but what a cool city I’m missing out on! Your post was filled with such a lot of goodies it was hard to pick out just one. I especially loved the funky chandeliers and the closing picture’s bit of street art 🙂

    Reply
  7. Awakening Wonders – Everyday life is filled with wondrous things and embraceable moments, but only if we allow ourselves to be fully awakened. I invite you to join me as I share passionate life adventures and ramblings that awaken my spirit. I look forward to awakening your senses to the simple, joyous wonders that are all around us. I feel that we are destined to become soulful adventurers!

    Awakening Wonders

    Loved reading your adventure through the vintage shops of Nottingham!

    Reply
  9. Sheila Landry Designs – Meteghan River, Nova Scotia, Canada – I am an artist and designer of decorative painting patterns, woodworking patterns, needlework and embroidery kits and patterns, and original artwork. My Painting and Wood Surfaces for Decorative Painting is at my "Tole Painting Designs" Website My partner Keith Fenton and I sell our scroll saw patterns at our Scroll Saw Pattern website: "Sheila Landry Designs" My needlework patterns and supplies are available at my Etsy shop: "The Stitching Kitty"

    Sheila Landry Designs

    I truly loved seeing your photos of this beautiful place. I would so love to visit! Thank you!

    Reply

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