Spirit of Normanton comes to life in Derby Market Place

“"Councillor Ranjit Banwait said: "The Normanton area of Derby has prospered for over 50 years and benefits greatly from the many communities from around the world that have settled in the neighbourhood."

I think it has prospered for a great deal longer than 50 years. There really was life before immigration in Derby. and as for the 'benefits' of the many communities from around the world, what benefits would that be? I continually hear of these 'benefits' without ever hearing exactly what they are, apart from cheap labour, reggae, and curry.”

“Would that be the fake spirit that can be acquired localy and will you get offered sex and drugs and then mugged insulted by drunks and then stumbling over old mattresses beer cans and side stepping needles. I've lived on and around Normanton rd all my life and its never been worse.”

“Derby_born - as well as pak stores and the pharmacies, try out the sweet shops. Not traditional British sweet shops but from the subcontinent. Well worth the calories!
And why buy samosas from Tesco when you can get much tastier ones from Normanton Rd?”

“mmmm... the sights & smells of Normanton in Derby City Centre...can't wait !”

“I remember Philpotts, you could buy just about any DIY material or equipment at this shop. I also miss Walt Mason's butcher shop on Peartree Road, where we would buy our Christmas Turkey every year. Mr. Sandhu had a well stocked grocery store on Normanton Road, but he retired about 10 years ago.

Aside from a good little Bird's Bakery shop, a survivor of more than 40 years, and Pak Stores, where you can get a real selection of exotic and regular foods, along with a few pharmacists, the area is full of fast food shops selling greasy chips, over-cooked fish and pizzas made with "turkey ham".”

“or would you rather crawl over broken glass........yep me too!”

“Will it be free illegal parking as well.!!!”

“This event comes from Arboretum Neighbourhood money - presumably they thought it worthwhile to spend this money so people from other areas in Derby could have fun in the Market Place. Very generous of them.
I seem to remember an article last winter about how Oakwood Board had chosen to spend money on Snow Kits - giving out shovels and rock salt to some residents and hoping they would use them to help the elderly and less mobile in the area. Don't remember comments saying it wasn't fair that Oakwood got this money.

All the boards get money - go find out how your one spends it, they have regular meetings in school halls or wherever whcih are open to everyone (btw they are deadly dull)”

“"Prospered for over 50yrs ?"
Does Councillor Banwait think that we had to import buisness people to open shops in Normanton.
I had a relative running a shoe shop there in the late 1800's and she made a good living at it - and her employees were local and legal !! ;)”

“Will there also be "Market Chaddesden, Market Allestree", and "Market Littleover" events, or is this another example of Normanton getting prefferential treatment ?”