News & Events FLYING HORSE WALK CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Flying Horse Walk, the shopping arcade in Nottingham city centre that links St Peter’s Gate to the Poultry, is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary with a day of special activities on Saturday 16 March 2019.

Amongst the activities taking place will be cheese tasting at The Cheese Shop, beer tasting at Brew Cavern and a show, based on Icon Art, at George Thornton Art.

There will also be complementary drinks for customers at Vivienne Westwood, Cathy Stephens Jewellery; Whitewall Galleries; Sevenoaks Sound & Vision and Gigi Bottega.

In addition a number of stores will be providing special offers and discounts including George Thornton Art; Cathy Stephens Jewellery; Gigi Bottega; Vivienne Westwood; Brik Squared and 200 Degrees. 

A juggler on stilts will be in the arcade on the day to entertain shoppers and people will be able to try their hand at juggling.

There will also be an opportunity to win some great prizes from businesses in the arcade with free raffle tickets available from the businesses.  Prizes include a selection of roasted coffee, gift vouchers, a Sonus speaker, cheese and Vivienne Westwood perfume.

Although the shopping arcade is thirty years old, the Grade II listed building that it occupies is steeped in history with its origins dating back to the 15th century.  This rich history gives it a unique character that suits the broad mix of independent stores and national brands located there today. 
The longest established business in the arcade is Cathy Stephens Jewellery which specialises in designing and making unique pieces of jewellery in Platinum, 18ct Gold, Palladium and Silver as well as transforming old or broken pieces of jewellery into beautiful contemporary designs.
Another long established business in the arcade is Slater menswear which opened its doors there in 2001. Well known iconic British avant-garde brand Vivienne Westwood has had a flagship store in the Flying Horse Walk since 2008. Then for high end and contemporary pieces for both men and women, there is also Gigi Bottega.
The Cheese Shop is a familiar face in Flying Horse Walk, having recently celebrated its fifteenth anniversary.   The shop, owned by brothers Webb and Rob Freckingham, supplies the best local, national and international produce
The arcade is also home to the first ever 200 Degrees coffee shop which opened in 2014.  For connoisseurs of beer, ale and cider, independent craft beer bottle shop Brew Cavern is well worth a visit.

There is plenty for art lovers too with the presence of Whitewall Galleries and George Thornton Art.  And staying with the home theme, national electrical retail chain Sevenoaks Sound & Vision, who stock a great range of hifi and home cinema systems, choose Flying Horse Walk as its home in 2016.  For a great selection of affordable gifts including framed prints, cards, jewellery, textiles and ceramics call into Inspired.
At the St Peter’s Gate entrance of the arcade is fittings and alterations specialists Apalts, who also provide a dry cleaning service.  Nearby is Flying Horse Vapes who stock a range of high quality electronic cigarettes, starter kits and accessories and for gents requiring a hair cut, beard trim or hair care products there is Brik Squared Barbershop.

In its thirty year history the arcade has been home to a broad mix of businesses. These have included Intermission Restaurant, interiors specialists Atomic and Table Works; wedding shops Caroline Castigliano and Berketex Brides; leisure wear company Dash; footwear and clothing retailer Timberland; florist April Flowers and luggage shop Canopy, to name just a few.

Prior to it being a shopping arcade, the building was occupied by the Flying Horse Inn which was created by combining a number of houses that originally stood there.  Its entrance on St Peters Gate stands on the site of the Old Blue Ball and Punch Bowl inns.
In its rich history The Flying Horse was, at one time, the headquarters of the Tories and was also the old Liberal headquarters.  In 1878 mention was made of the Mayor’s Parlour being there.

In the mid 1800s it was frequented by great actors who were performing at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham.  Cricketers, who were playing at Trent Bridge, also used to stay there and there is reference to the clock chimes of the Council House being stopped to avoid disturbing the sleep of the players and their cricket performance.

Beneath ground level there is a series of cellars, underground passages and chambers that, over the years, were filled in when building work took place but which are currently being excavated and will hopefully be opened up to the public in the not too distant future.

“We’re really excited to be celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Flying Horse Walk as a shopping arcade and we hope that lots of people come and join in the celebrations,” said Rob Spencer, director of FHP, the arcade’s managing agents.  “There are some great businesses in the arcade for people to discover, including many independents which are unique to Nottingham, and lots of activities for everyone to enjoy.”