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Nottingham is great apart from the following:

The Big Issue may be a good magazine for a worthy cause but when you've been offered 20 copies on the walk up to the victoria centre you get a bit tired of it.

Market Square. Get rid of the traffic round it. It only gets congestered anyway and makes the places filthy.

Public Toilets. Those that are available are dark, smelly and horrible. Stand under market square and try to convinve yourself your in the 21st centuary. You'll find it difficult.

Robin Hood. Why can't we have people walking round selling the tourism in Nottingham. Inverness has some poor bloke dressed as the loch ness monster, we should be proud of the city's history as well as what lies in store for the future.

The sheer number of people who visit Nottingham to shop, study and sample the nightlife shows what a fantastic city we have. It just needs a little extra to make it truely great.

Ian T
Long Eaton

Nottingham is a good city and could be the best city in the country, but a lot could be done to improve the city.

The beggars are becoming a real problem, when the police arrested about 200 in the last year or so they found only about 12 were actually homeless. They can be very abusive and I was even attack by one in Leicester. Begging is illegal but why are they allowed sit by every cash point in the city centre.

Nottingham in bloom has helped improve the look of the city quite a bit, but city is not as clean as for example Leicester.

The night life the city is very good, but when pubs and clubs close on Saturday night the place looks very rough with litter everywhere mainly caused by fast food places, which don't allow there customers to eat inside late at night. Their customers cause the mess so they should be made to clear it up or just let people eat inside.

It would be nice if the pubs treated their customers like, well customers and stop telling people to leave the pub 15 minutes after last orders. They claim it is the law, but are the police really so stupid as to make people drink a pint in 15 minutes, that is just asking for trouble and do they really want everyone turned out on to streets at the same time. If you treat people like animals, then they will act like them, as you see by all the urine in the streets after 11pm. You can drink outside at the Via Fossa but they do not let the customers back after 11.15pm to even use the toilet. If Nottingham wants to be a great European city, (and it could be) it could start by letting visitors finish their drinks in a relaxed and mature way like any other European city.

William Davison
Nottingham

You only know that Nottingham is the best place in England if you have to live somewhere else for a time.

Jake
Nottingham

and in response...

I have to agree with Jake that u only have to live away from nottingham to know how wicked it really is i have lived away for 12 years in a delapidated forgotten holiday town in the south coast called margate. My mates are always knocking Nottingham when it is a hell of a city and a lot cheaper. u have a halfway decent bus service that is quite cheap. the equivalent distance of nottingham to bullwell down here is 拢1.20for a half fare. most of my close family live up there to.... so live down here for a year and youll be gagging for nottingham.

Robin Platt
Margate, Kent

The shops are great. Good range in and out of the shopping centres.

John
Mansfield, Notts.

Nottingham's "Homeless" and Beggar Problem - it's getting worse. I was asked for 40p by a beggar yesterday. I told him I had no spare change and was submitted to verbal abuse. I was very frightened as I wasn't directly in the city centre and there wasn't many people around. Why should I have to put up with this...???! I think they make our city look untidy and I'm fed up being asked if I want to buy a Big Issue every 2 minutes. Friends of mine have stopped coming into Nottingham to shop because of this problem and are now going to Leicester (where it is nowhere near as bad) or to Meadowhall in Sheffield.

Bridget
Nottingham

and in reply...

Nottingham is a fantastic city it is vibrant young and energetic. But perhaps the bst thing about the city is the atmosphere. We must not forget that Nottingham is one of the most popular places to live in outside London. We are extremely lucky to live in or close to such a great city, which is as architectually beautiful and diverse as it's people. As to the homeless problem in Nottingham I reply to Bridget regarding her friends who would rather go to Leicester. I attend university in Leicester and the problem is far worse. How I wish I had of stayed in the city of my birth ah well it is but a train ride away. I will not hesitate to settle in Nottingham come the end of my course.

Sam Pearce
South Normanton

I come from their. I have been in NYC for the past 2 years and I do miss Nottingham. The shops, bars and yes even the big issue sellers are the best. At the end of the day Notts is the best. Its the only place in the world.

Owen Slater
New York City. USA

and in reply...

I'm also a native of Nottingham living in New York. NYC is one of the worlds greatest places, but at the same time it makes me appreciate Nottm even more. Nottingham is an all round top city and I'm proud to call it home!

Anna
New York, USA

Nottingham is a growing, vibrant city. A great mix of entertainment and retail. Could do with a park in the city area, and to rid the Old Market Square of the tramps but its a cool place.

Robin and Sara
Oxford, ex Nottingham

I have lived in the south since leaving the forces in 1993. I long for the day that I can return to Nottingham to be with my family. It has everything to offer, least of all a friendly and warm welcome for everyone, regardless of status.

Ian Colborne
Hartley Wintney, Hants, UK

Who are the loons responsible for the loss of historic 17th Century Flying Horse public house? We need to know. It still beggars belief. The Old Corner Pin, the Classic cinema, Pearson's Department store. One by one the old landmarks of Nottingham topple, to be replaced with ... Maid Marian Way, Victoria Centre, The Broadmarsh. Outside of 70's Birmingham, Nottingham is surprisingly gifted with far sighted town planners.

Richard
Skegness

Nottingham's a vibrant place with a good future. It needs to be greener and better educated to survive in the modern world but I think the council are going in the right direction. Perhaps more money spent on the arts (but then I'm a composer!!!).

Robert Steadman
Beeston

The Sky Mirror? Is it a good thing for Wellington Circus or has it wrecked a perfectly good place to sit and have a drink?

Robert Steadman
Nottingham

I can remember when I came to live in Nottinghamshire how disappointed I was and my Family to find that the Castle was not as I (And possibly a lot of tourists) had expected to see. What a disappointment. The Castle is a definet MAGNET for all and should be (I Feel) refaced to look like what has been reproduced in all kinds of reference to NOTTINGHAM CASTLE. I feel sure that most inhabitants of the Shire have a basic desire to see a "real" on the hill instead of the present BOX. Good as it is as a Museum a Castle it IS NOT.

Albert Ross
Hucknall

What's wrong with being asked to buy a Big Issue? It's actually a very good magazine if you ever bother to read it. As for people stopping coming into Nottingham on shopping trips because of this, then that's their loss for not being able to part with 拢1 whilst spending, compared with the price of a Big Issue,a fortune. Open your eyes to the 21st century and realise that this problem does not lie at the fault of homeless people.

Leah
Nottingham

Nottingham is a beautiful city, especially in the main square which is larger than seen in any city outside London. Shopping is as good as anywhere and eating out caters for all ethnic groups. Sport is good too, especially the water centre at Holme Pierpont Not a native of Nottingham and having lived in many parts of England Nottingham appeals as a very fair city earning its name as Queen of the Midlands.

Peter Barry
Southwell Nottinghamshire

Nottingham is very definitely not the best City in the Country. It is an awful place, the City Centre is filthy, you are propositioned constantly be beggars, Big Issue sellers (if it was free I still wouldn't want one) and clipboard wielding "market research" people. The pavements are strewn with chewing gum, litter, dog faeces, pigeon droppings and pavement pizzas. The cause is of course the residents of the area who seem not to care about the general lack of standards of behaviour and drop litter etc without giving a second thought. Education is the only answer, however seeing the scruffy, tattooed, loud mouthed mothers wheeling their offspring around you wonder whether the next generation will be any more literate or set a better example. For goodness sake Nottingham stop the rot!, smarten your residents up and educate them to a proper decent standard and then you might be able to call yourself the best City.

Bert Fegg
North Notts

more ...

I was born and raised in Nottingham and lived there for thirty odd years before moving to one of the beautiful cities in the world, Perth West Australia. I was saddened to read some of the comments of Bert Fegg about Nottingham,but I have to also agree with some of them too.Nottingham is beautiful but it is also dirty made so by its people who litter everywhere with paper and dog dung.The city council due their best,and the flowers are magnificent but you people are slobs and should be fined dearly for letting your dogs mess and dropping litter.Pull your socks up Me-ducks make your city great and keep it clean!!

J Smith
Perth, Australia

I recently visited London after a 10 year absence and was pleasantly supprised by the general cleanliness of the City and lack of Big Issue vendors (who were everywhere when I lived there). I can honestly say that I would rather shop down Oxford Street than run the gauntle of beggars and catalogue / market research women who plague Nottingham City centre. Are we a soft touch or what?

Adela Hampson
Nottingham

as regards the big issue sellers, yes i agree that they can be a nuisance ( and it's quite fun watching people go out of their way to walk round them!) but look at them...would anyone dress in such a way or do a degrading thing such as selling magazines on the street unless they had to? personally i smile and say a polite no thankyou and in reply i've never had any abuse, just a grin and a 'thanks love'. surely this is the approach when someone asks if you wish to buy. Don't knock all of them, it could be you in such unfortunate straits.

Clare
Beeston

I love Nottingham, but have to say that the tourist attractions of the City are poor. The Tales Of Robin Hood is viewed by many as "rip off", the Castle is just another 'dry' museum and Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak are plain disappointing. Rufford Abbey and the Gallaries of Justice are much better, and even Sherwood's good during the Robin Hood Festival in August. The best building which we have remianing - after the senseless demolition of much fine architecture during the 50's and 60's - Wollaton Hall is not used to it's full potential, it is being allowed to gradually decay. Just go on a tour of the place and see behind the scenes how bad the state of the building really is. Any other city would be proud if it and attempt to make the most of such a treasure (instead of using the excuse "we are waiting for Lottery funding" - forget it, we're too far north of Watford). The City Council are right to 'cash in' on the legend of Robin Hood, but really must del! ! iver the goods, to make an effort to enhance the city and what's left of it's attractions. Visitors expect a castle like Warwick Castle and should not be misled. Nottingham must become a 21st Century City and not rely upon one, probably mythical, person to prop-up it's image ,the other examples quoted, ie, Sue Pollard, Dale Winton and Paper Lace are a bit sad aren't they? Nottingham is a wonderful city with much to offer and should put its feet firmly in the future.

Del
Nottingham

I have recently moved to Canada for the second time, and even though i love it over here i still miss good old Nottingham. I miss the friendliness of the Nottinghamshire people and the pubs, Nottingham castle and it's history. I love being in Canada too but you can't beat Nottingham.

Caroline Cross
Kanata,Ontario,Canada

I think that Nottingham has a great diversity of cultures which gives the city it's character. There are also many opportunities to meet in the many pubs and clubs, from the cheesiest to the more up market, there's something for everyone. Yes, we do have some problems such as litter and vandalism etc.. but doesn't every city? It's an urban problem and it's not going to go away over night. I have lived in other parts of the country and have found myself missing Nottingham for the friendly people and their acceptance of everyone else, whatever their background

H Keyworth
Notts

I spent three fab years in Nottingham as a student at Nottingham University and still have friends that stayed on after graduation - proof in itself that it is a good place to settle in. I often go back to visit at weekends, and am always touched by flashes of nostalgia at the very happy memories I have of my time there. Living in London now, I really appreciate being able to shop in one area and not have to battle against the crowds and tackiness of Oxford Street. I also appreciate the ease of socialising. The cheapness of taxis into town, the clubs all being in the same area, etc. Nottingham will always hold a really special place in my heart.

Amanda Williamson
London

For what? I recently read Nottingham has now gained the crown from Coventry for the most violent city in the UK. I visit Nottingham from Lincoln, but Nottingham certainly makes me feel uneasy these days. I am less certain, for example, that my car is still going to be there when I get back than I used to be.

Stephen Skepper
Lincoln

and in reply...

Nottingham has ALWAYS had a violent history. Once upon a time, (in the 80`s), Nottingham was dubed "the New York of Europe". But this sort of reputation never did New York any harm, did it? To be quite blunt, of all the places I have visited, Nottingham produces the most laughs, smiles, and courteous people on Earth! And that is also the opinion of everyone I know, worldwide, who happen to have experienced Nottingham at first hand. I suggest we all go on a pub crawl, get drunk, buy a copy of First Issue, jump in the fountains with a bottle of bubble bath, and grab a takeaway afterwards! Now THAT`S Nottingham!

Eddie
Stabbo

Nottingham is good and bad, and if i had the choice i would sometimes but not always be saddened by events if they were not so expensive.

Neil
Location Unknown

having lived all over england, i can safely say that nottingham is well cool. it has a really nice 'pace' about it, meaning if you want to party its great, but if you want to laze around its also great! i work in the lace market area and its really great to see how the area is becoming so popular.. oh, and of course the women of nottingham are awesome!

Mr Monster
Notts

its been a long time.. Left in 59 would love to come back and see my old town, But I understand its very expensive,, came back two times during this time, however didn't see much the last time, so this is great for me to see and talk about.

Shirley Osborne
Akron,Ohio USA

I visited Nottinghamshire for the first time in May of this year, staying with friends in Farnsfield. I only had one day in Notthingham, but loved it. I am an American who is used to much smaller towns, and was surprised to find Nottingham a busy, thriving city. We have our homeless, our beggars and itinerant street vendors, too, so this aspect of your city didn't bother me. What I remember most are the gardens, the friendliness of the people, the wonderful architectural diversity, and most of all the history of your area. My friends showed me most of the county, some of Derbyshire and a bit of Lincolnshire, and their warm and generous hospitality will long be remembered. Please don't be so hard on Nottingham -- it is a wonderful city!

Nate Silvola
Long Beach, WA. USA

I was back in Nottingham for the first time in almost 20 years. I was born there, lived "up Mapperley" -- my locals were the Porchester and Plainsman. I went to the Becket in W.Bridgford; worked at MacFisheries in the Square and at the Salutation in the mid 1970s. I wanted to show my kids my hometown but got shoved around the one-way system, couldn't park... I had heard Tales of RH was a rip off. We did get to the Castle and Lace Museum. Tons of memories. I did not notice that the Flying Horse was gone.... a shame. I have memories of a Scottish Bouncer not letting me in one night in my teens -- "no jeans, man". I sneaked in the back door, got caught and thrown out... Standing under the shaft in castlerock in the trip and getting sand in my pint. Great memories of pubs and a few clubs and of Forest games. Sad to hear so many people so negative about Notts...

Richard Kujawa
Burlington, Vermont, USA

Being born in Nottingham and raised in the US, gives one a different perspective on the city. The city to me is a lost part of my indentity and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I find Nottingham to be a place of history and culture. My memories are few but he ones I have are important. To think that my family might live in one of the best cities in England is great and to know that I am from there is even better. I may be an American citizen but I will always be English.

Andrew Ballantine
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA

What a sad place the castle is. After a pleasant walk up the hill from the "Trip to Jerusalem" and through the magnificent keep and on through the lovely gardens we end up at the ugly building which we call the castle. What disappointment it must be for visitors looking for the haunts of Robin Hood. I say rebuild the turrets and towers and give us a castle to be proud of!

Howard
Giltbrook

Nottingham used to be great. Gone are the times when I was rewarded for a hard day of scrounging. People don't realise that eight hours of wearing smelly clothes and holding a pitiful expression is tough work. People would rather give their cash to large multinatonal companies than the poor. Any road, I'm out of this city and off to Leicester, I hear there's some ripe pockets to be had.

Ed Pill
Market Square, Nottingham

We think Nottingham`s nightlife is great! Theres a pub every 50 yards with a friendly atmosphere and cheap.

Suzanne and Helen
Kimberley and Giltbrook, Notts.

Nottingham is a dump and always will be. Nottingham should look upon Ilkeston as an example of what a good shopping experience can be. Ilkeston is also a much more interesting place and the lack of pigeons is always a bonus.

Pho-torp
Ilkeston

I arrived in Nottingham for a two week holiday from Belfast thirty years ago. Two weeks later I came back and have lived here since. Every city has its pluses and minuses the world over but in my opinion Nottingham has a lot more pluses than minuses. The beggars can be an irratation but believe me are not exclusive to Nottingham. A visitor will surely be aware of how green the city is, amenities and attractions abound, we, the inhabitants tend to take these for granted, too many to mention but how many cities have two major football grounds, test match standard cricket ground, national water centre (I think there's only one of these), ice stadium second to none, tennis centre growing in stature by year, list is endless. How many cities have two universities and colleges galore. How many cities have a famous river, an international airport so close. The more I write the more attractions I think of that make Nottingham the best city to live in. I haven't even mentioned! ! about having the best looking women in the country and I know, I married one. So to those residents who are quick to winge, think on and add the pluses!!

Sam
Nottingham

I had many happy times in Nottingham during my being stationed at RAF Lakenheath while in the USAF 1959-1962. Nothing stays the same and I doubt that I would find much that I would remember from so long ago. I am sure that there a still many wonderfull people there and a lot of fun to be had. I would welcome the chance to see it again.

Nick Carter,
Lebanon Oregon, USA

I was born and bred in Nottingham. Emmigrated to N.Z in 1979. I love your news pages to hear what is happening in my favourite City. Sorting out some old newpapers today, I came across a Nottm.Guardian dated Sept.8th 1939. which my mother had saved I beleive the day Poland was taken by the Germans. I look at Jam Cam to see the streets of Nottingham and you have made some great changes. GO NOTTINGHAM.

Jane McGowan
Auckland, New Zealand

What a fine city notts is,loads of pubs,gorgeous women and a bus service to Ilson up to 2.40 in the morning for the sum of 2 quid.Marvellous.

Alva, lILSON

NOTTINGHAM AS IMPROVED IT'S IMAGE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. iT AS GOOD BABY CHANGING FACILITIES IN BROARDMARSH AND THE LOOS NEXT TO BUS OFFICE. THIER IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. IT AS A GOOD EDUCATION SYSTEM

DAZZ
NOTTS