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How Are Nottingham's Independents Bouncing Back from Lockdown?

It’s impossible to underestimate the devastating impact COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown has had on independent businesses. The boutiques, breweries and bars that form the lifeblood of our community were forced to shut their doors four months ago, with many never to open again. But with some semblance of normality returning to the high street, we decided it was time for a catch up with some of Notts’ independents to find out how they’ve coped during lockdown, and the steps they’ve taken to re-open safely…

City Stylin' #28

We took to the streets to find the most stylish folk in town...

Notts-Born Singer-Songwriter Natalie Duncan on Her New Album, Free

There aren’t many things in life that are a given these days. One exception, however, is the guaranteed beauty of a new album release by Notts-born singer songwriter Natalie Duncan. Free, which was released on 31 July this year, is Nat’s first full-length album since 2012, and is full of her customary soul-infused melodies and candid lyrics. Featuring tracks written over a number of years since 2012, it’s one heck of an expansive record, brimming with vivacity and ambition. We caught up with Nat to chat about her Notts roots, the new record and her musical life in the age of COVID-19….

LeftLion Film Podcast #28 - The Lockdown Tapes: Part 2

Separated due to lockdown, hosts Ash and Derry virtually reminisce over some of their favourite and most humiliating moments from three years of the LeftLion Film Podcast. Featuring a doomed interview with stand up legend with Colin Quinn, getting intimidated by Ben Wheatley, talking to Bella Ramsey the day after she was killed off in Game of Thrones and getting brutalised by Tom State...

Under Cover Artist: Stuart Jones

We’re back in print with a bang, and Stuart Jones’ cover – a love-letter to all things print – is the cherry on top of this 48-page cake. We chat with this month’s cover artist to find out more about his work...

Fancy Learning Something New? Confetti's Accessible Foundation Courses Have Got You Covered

During lockdown, many people have been using the time to reflect on what they want to do in life. If you’ve been one of them and are fancying a career change or even just want to learn something new, why not get yourself on one of Confetti’s courses... 

Nottingham Arts Mela Returns to the New Art Exchange for Its 32nd Year

As Nottingham Mela Network, in partnership with New Art Exchange, gets ready to celebrate the 32nd year of Nottingham Arts Mela in the UK, Alex Stubbs previews the exciting, eclectic online programme of cooking, films featuring South Asian diaspora worldwide, music, dance, debates, poetry and spoken word, family art workshops, murals, archives activated, morning raags and yoga…

The Thompson Brothers on Amazon, Princess Beatrice and August Christmas Parties

Overheard in Notts

Big Baby's back on the prowl...

Left Duck: 2020 Season Preview

With the 2020 cricket season about to start, we take a look at how Nottinghamshire are shaping up to take on the COVID-impacted schedule.

The Young Hustlers Are A Brand-New Panel of Teens Putting Their Stamp on the City's Future

Meet Nottingham’s Young Hustlers, a group of six 13-16 year olds looking to make their mark on the city’s creative future…

Nottingham City Council Wants the City to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2028

Since 2005, Nottingham has reduced its carbon emissions by more than double the target goal first laid out by Nottingham City Council. But now there is a new target – to become the first carbon-neutral city in the UK by 2028. Ahead of the launch of their 28 day challenge, taking place on social media throughout August, we speak to Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder Energy, Environment and Democratic Services about how they intend to make it happen… 

Left Magpie: Home Improvements

During Lockdown, I became particularly partial to home improvement programmes. There was something quite therapeutic, during a time of intense instability and incoherence, watching someone making sense out of chaos by turning a decommissioned Soviet missile into a glamping pod.

25 Years Later: Kids

A hyper-realistic, fly-on-the-wall story, Kids is the product of 19-year-old writer Harmony Korine and photographer-cum-filmmaker Larry Clark. 25 years old this month, the film is set in the heart of New York, where Clark and Korine capture the disturbing hedonism and reckless nature of pubescent youth...

Circle of Light is Back This August: 2020 Applications Now Open

Following the staggering success of last year’s debut Circle of Light project, new Youth Music funding has been secured to give more young people the chance to get hands-on experience in the music industry - even during the current climate. Read on to learn how it will work, the mentors leading the way, and how you can apply for a place at the workshops this August…

Film Review: The Kissing Booth 2

Netflix’s much-anticipated sequel to The Kissing Booth, sees best friends Lee and Elle tackle their senior year, as well as Elle dealing with her long-distance relationship with Noah.

Southwell Jewellery Store Last Night I Dreamt on Setting Up Shop, Significant Trinkets, and Sending Love During Lockdown

The bright lights of Nottingham’s city centre might not be quite as bright – or as busy – as they were six months ago. Yet, for one shop in Southwell, lockdown has been a little different. Nestled in North Nottinghamshire, Last Night I Dreamt is not only a curated collection of the best treasure that British brands have to offer, but is also a hive for jewellery lovers up and down the country. Our Fashion Editor, Anna Murphy, spoke to its owner, Rebecca Gibbions to find out more...

Interview: A Catch-up with Nactus Kunan

Sitting on lots of newly released material but with no imminent chance to share it live with fans, we caught up with Jack and Joe of local alternative four-piece Nactus Kunan to see how they've been keeping busy...

"No Disney princesses wear glasses and that made me feel like I wasn't beautiful enough." - Lowri Moore and Our Head Designer, Natalie Owen on Their New Children's Book

“If you don’t like something, change it.” That’s what poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou wrote and preached throughout her life. And, it’s exactly what Lowri Moore has done – fuelled by the lack of representation for glasses-wearing characters in Disney films, the eleven-year-old has collaborated with our very own designer, Natalie Owen on their new children’s book, Princess Rose and the Golden Glasses… 

The Big Notts Quiz: Part IV

Some say these quizzes have been the highlight of their lockdown life, others think they’ve been an enormous waste of everyone’s time. Either way, we’ve done one more, and made it extra difficult to finish things off…

intu Victoria Centre Calls for Photographers to Share Lockdown Photos

intu Victoria Centre is calling for local photographers to submit images captured during lockdown, to form part of a new Lockdown Gallery that will be installed in the centre...

Splendour at Home: Dig Deep in Aid of Framework

This Saturday, when we should have all been moseying down to Wollaton Park for a day of dancing and drinking, the tireless team behind Splendour will be hosting a one-off digital festival, aiming to bring the essence of the festival directly to our homes, while asking us to dig deep for local charity Framework….

The Winners of the Young Creative Awards 2020 Are...

The Young Creative Awards are an annual celebration of all the amazing things the mega-talented youths in our city can produce. Previous winners have performed at Splendour, published books and even designed for Beyonce. Every year the standard gets higher and higher, and 2020 has been no exception. Get impressed and inspired by this year’s winning work, and get their names on your radar – we’ve got a feeling they’re all worth keeping an eye out for in the future…

The Art of Beer's Seth Smith Has Drawn 41 of Our City's Best Boozers

Meet Seth Smith, aka the Art of Beer. He’s spent the last half-decade creating illustrations inspired by the nation’s favourite alcoholic beverage. This year he’s drawn 41 of the city's best boozers in conjunction with Nottingham Craft Beer Week and soon they’ll be available as free postcards at a pub near you…

FlyGirl Are Launching to Empower Wxman of Colour in Nottingham

With the aim to empower womxn all across Nottingham – with particular focus on womxn of colour – FlyGirl is set to launch later this year. We caught up with Avarni Bilan, one half of the Wigflex team, to see what it’s all about…