Lister Gate Birds reopens as more investment happens in area
Birds Bakery has reopened its Lister Gate branch after a refit, as fresh retail and NHS investment raise hopes for a revival of one of Nottingham city centre's most vacant streets.
Morning briefing Nottingham
Temperature
8° to 21°C
Rain
Dry today
Wind
Gusts 25 mph
Sunset
20:30
Ride details Good to ride
Recommended gear
- Jacket
- Light layers
Best times to ride
Windy today
- 06 8°
- 09 12°
- 12 18°
- 15 21°
- 18 20°
- 21 15°
The Lister Gate branch of Birds Bakery is open again today after a 12-day closure for a refit, matching the company's new branding. The investment shows faith in the revitalisation efforts of this underused area of the city.
Previous customers will remember the somewhat awkward seating arrangements of the shop floor. Large windows lent themselves well to sitting and watching the crowds pass by on a busy corner, but the area was quite confined.
This area of the shop floor has been opened up. There is still space for people-watching with a chia seed, egg mayo sandwich but now with more breathing room.
"We've designed the new space with the city's busy workers and shoppers in mind," said Jamie Bird, managing director.
This is the thirteenth branch to change to the new "spring green" and teal livery, with the first being remodelled in 2024 in Leicestershire. All 61 branches will be updated to this new look.
Part of the rebrand has included a refresh of the Birds' website which now allows for buying goods online. The site also highlights the social impact of the brand in its 107 years of history.
This heritage is a key inspiration for the colour scheme: the pale green is said to be similar to the original colourway seen in the first Birds when it opened in 1919.
This investment in the flagship store comes just eight weeks after the closure of a Stapleford branch, with a spokesperson for the company citing a 'significant decline in trade' and highstreet struggles.
With the recent 'reactivation' of the nearby Broad Marsh area, as owners are looking for tenants, and news of an Asda opening in the empty units near the library, it's possible that more footfall will be directed between Old Market Square and the train station - via Lister Gate.
The NCT Travel Centre recently relocated to Lister Gate. The NHS intends for the Community Diagnostic Centre to open in 2027 with capacity for 140,000 appointments annually and 75 new jobs.
There are still many closed and empty units on Lister Gate, but its luck might change with the recent and upcoming investments.
