Victoria Centre
Shopping Center | Nottingham | England | United Kingdom
Largest shopping center in Nottingham
The Victoria Centre in Nottingham, England, is one of the largest and most famous shopping centers in the UK and a central part of Nottingham's city center. It was built between 1967 and 1972 by the construction company Taylor Woodrow and was officially opened on October 14, 1969, by the Duchess of Kent, with a plaque marking the start of construction. The center was developed on the site of the former Nottingham Victoria Railway Station, which was demolished in 1967. Only the distinctive clock tower and the former Victoria Station Hotel, now operated as a Hilton Hotel, remain from the station. With a retail space of approximately 91,600 square meters, the Victoria Centre is the largest shopping center in Nottingham, attracting around 20 million visitors each year, underscoring its significance as a regional shopping destination.
Victoria Centre market Nottingham
The shopping center spans two levels – the lower and upper malls – and accommodates over 120 shops covering a wide range of retail offerings. Major retailers include department stores like John Lewis & Partners, House of Fraser, and Boots, as well as popular high-street brands like Next, H&M, River Island, Urban Outfitters, and Superdry. The selection ranges from fashion and accessories to technology and household goods, appealing to diverse target groups. A notable feature is the Victoria Centre Market, the largest covered market in Nottingham, located on the first floor opposite John Lewis. This market offers a variety of goods, including fresh produce like meat and fish, as well as specialties such as books, jewelry, and craft supplies. The market is a remnant of the center's original function and gives it a local character.
Shopping experience Nottingham city center
In addition to shopping options, the Victoria Centre is also known for its dining facilities. The Clocktower Dining area includes more than 20 restaurants and cafes, featuring popular chains like McDonald's, Subway, Krispy Kreme, Tortilla, Ed's Easy Diner, and Thai Express. This diversity allows visitors to enjoy everything from quick fast food to relaxed meals, making the center a place for longer stays. The lower level of the center was renovated in the late 1980s and divided into various "Courts" – including Emett Court, Palm Court, and Fountain Court – each creating its own atmosphere and structuring the shopping experience.
Restaurants in Victoria Centre
The architecture of the Victoria Centre is modern and functional, with generous glass surfaces that let in daylight. It is part of a larger building complex that also includes the Victoria Centre Flats – 464 apartments across 26 floors, making the center the tallest building in Nottingham at a height of 78 meters. A striking element inside is the "Aqua Horological Tintinnabulator," a water-driven clock designed in 1970 by artist Rowland Emett. This kinetic sculpture, originally located on the lower level and playing the melody "Gigue en Rondeau II" by Rameau every quarter hour, was restored in 2014 and reactivated in 2015 at its new location at the northern end of the upper mall. It is a popular meeting point and a symbol of the center's history.
Architecture of Victoria Centre
The Victoria Centre is well-connected to the transport network. It features more than 2,250 parking spaces spread across two parking zones – the White Zone in the north and the Underground Zone in the south – which also include accessible spaces and family parking. A dedicated bus station, the Nottingham Victoria Bus Station, serves the northern part of the city and beyond, while nearby tram stops of the Nottingham Express Transit provide quick access to the city center and other attractions. This accessibility has significantly contributed to the center's success, making it easily reachable for both locals and visitors from the East Midlands.
Over the years, the Victoria Centre has undergone several expansions and modernizations. A significant expansion took place in 1997 when additional retail space was created to accommodate House of Fraser as another anchor tenant. Further renovations occurred in the late 1980s, and in 2010, a large-scale expansion was planned to compete with rival centers like the Broadmarsh Centre as well as new shopping centers in Derby and Leicester. However, these plans were blocked by Nottingham City Council, which prioritized the redevelopment of Broadmarsh. From 2013 to 2020, the center was known as "Intu Victoria Centre" following the acquisition by Intu Properties plc. After Intu's bankruptcy in 2020, a subsidiary, Intu SGS, took control, with Global Mutual as the asset manager and Savills as the property manager, and the name was reverted to Victoria Centre.
