Business owner speaks out after 'detrimental' decision for Nottingham station side exit to close

Pete Russell (right), co-owner of Hopkinson, pictured with his partner, Bryony Woodgates
-Credit: (Image: Rucsandra Moldoveanu / Nottingham Post)


A Nottingham business owner has expressed his concerns following a decision to close one of Nottingham Railway Station's entrances. The side access point located on Station Street will close on Monday, October 28, in a bid to clamp down on fare dodgers.

East Midlands Railway (EMR), the company which runs the station, said access to all platforms would be restricted, with passengers being required to use the main entrance on Carrington Street. But the decision will have a detrimental impact on a nearby business located on Station Street which relies on footfall coming out of the station.

Pete Russell, joint owner of Hopkinson, said: "All the people getting off their trains and exiting that way are likely to pass my business. If that closes, all the people going into town will just walk down Carrington Street. They won't bother to go out of their way and come here."

Mr Russell explained that he has previously observed the effects of no train passengers passing his business during the rail strikes, which allegedly saw his takings plummet to only 10 per cent of what it normally us. He said: "We've put a lot effort into this place to make it as visible as possible and attract people from the train station.

"They can just hear us when they come out that exit. We're not just a bar, we're an independent business centre, we have 50 businesses within this building. All of us here rely on that footfall, it's our livelihood.

"If the exit goes, it's going to be a ghost town around here. We need to stop this from happening. We've gone through some hard times but this will be totally detrimental."

Nottingham Railway Station side exit on Station Street
The closure of the exit is a pilot and will be in place from Monday, October 28 -Credit:Nottingham Post / Rucsandra Moldoveanu

Mr Russell added that while he appreciates the reasoning behind the decision, the issue could be "simply solved" by the installation of a barrier at the entrance. He also highlighted that he received no notice from EMR regarding the closure.

Mr Russell said: "The plans seem a bit short sighted. We weren't given any notice about anything. We've been running around like headless chickens since finding out from the news this morning.

"We've been left in a situation in which we just have to figure out a plan overnight. It's like they just came here and put red tape on our door, saying we're closed. It's not fair."

Passengers have also expressed their discontent following the decision. Natalie Cupitt, 39 and from Derbyshire, said: "I don't know how to leave the station any other way. I think it will be very confusing because I just don't understand how you can get to the main entrance to get out.

"I've always used this exit and I think there will be queues building up at the main entrance, especially as I usually come in in the morning. We always have our tickets checked on the train anyway. This exit just means I can leave quickly without a lot of fuss."

Anna Richards, 21, added: "I use this entrance all the time because I always get an Uber to the station as I live quite far away and you can't get a taxi to the main entrance. I would've missed my train quite a few times if I had to walk from here all the way to the main entrance.

"I get why they're doing it and I've always wondered how they just gave everyone right of way without having their tickets checked before getting on the train but I think a barrier would be better than closing it altogether." Another passenger, who wished to keep his identity private, said: "It's a stupid idea.

"I use this exit four days a week because I'm on platform one so it makes no sense for me to go to the main entrance just to come all the way back here. It's ridiculous. If they're so worried about fare dodgers, just stick a barrier there."

EMR explained that the footbridge connecting Station Street to Queen's Road will remain a public right of way. Access to the tram on Station Street via the footbridge will also be maintained.

Philippa Cresswell, Customer Service Director at East Midlands Railway, said: "The vast majority of our customers always buy a ticket and understand that for the railway to successfully operate, improve, and secure investment, fares need to be paid. Sadly, there is a minority of determined people who think they can travel for free and have been using the overhead bridge to avoid paying.

"We have a duty to protect revenue – which is ultimately taxpayers' money and fare-paying customer's money – and have been forced to take this action to prevent access to the platforms via the station's footbridge."