The Exchange (Exchange Arcade) — Local services in Nottingham

Located beneath the Council House, the Exchange was originally designed as a prestigeous retail location. It remains so today but to a lesser extent as Online shopping has reduced footfall and companies left. There are still some great shops in the Exchange. The architecture is Greco/Roman(?). Built c.1920. It is a beautiful space. Note the paintings on the uprights for the dome celebrating the local industires. See also, the glazed windows in the dome. The building was erected when the City finances were burgeoning from profits and taxes from global companies such as Boots (The Chemist), Players (cigarettes), and Raleigh (bicycles). There is a huge amount to see in the City. Hope you...

I needed some silicone nose pads for an expensive pair of Oakley sunglasses and found a source on Google. By coincidence, the seller - Optique Vision - had a branch in Nottingham, which I discovered was located in Exchange Arcade. I called to check stock and they had them, plus they offered to fit them for free.

I popped in a few days later and the impressive-looking store was staffed by friendly and helpful people. Job done, and I'd recommend this shop to anyone looking for glasses.

They weren't listed as tenants of the Arcade when I looked. They really should be. First...

This fairly compact shopping arcade, opened in 1929, is located at the back of the Council House. Well worth going inside if only to admire the opulent architecture, huge glass dome, colourful frescoes and carved wooden shopfronts. There are a few eateries and some upmarket shops selling designer clothing, shoes, kitchen units, sofas, fine arts, and good quality wines and whisky. Shame that there were so few shoppers and visitors here. The arcade is easy to get to as trams stop right outside it, and there's a car...