Clumber Street, once promoted as one of Europe's busiest shopping thoroughfares, is poised for a notable change after the long‑standing Footasylum branch on the city centre route appears to be closing. The unit has drawn interest from American fast‑food firm Chick‑fil‑A, which has lodged a proposal with Nottingham City Council to install new signage as it seeks to open its first Nottingham outlet.
Retail turnover on a busy city route
Footasylum has traded on Clumber Street for more than a decade, but the company declined to comment on the future of the store. Council records show that a new tenant has already expressed an interest in taking on the premises, with Chick‑fil‑A making a formal request for permission to display signage at the unit.
The move would extend Chick‑fil‑A’s expansion in England, which began in October 2025 with its first UK branch in Leeds. The chain has been opening further sites across the country since then.
Safety concerns and the city‑centre environment
The potential arrival of another national name comes amid ongoing problems reported by businesses on Clumber Street. In recent months several traders have introduced new security measures in response to incidents affecting staff and customers.
- In April, the nearby Greggs branch placed all food items behind the counter after citing heightened levels of anti‑social behaviour.
- Nationwide installed additional protective measures at its building following reported issues including rough sleeping in the area and staff safety concerns.
“exposed to higher levels of anti‑social behaviour”
Those changes have prompted calls from some local traders for a stronger and more co‑ordinated response to anti‑social activity, which they say is creating a "feral feel" on parts of the street.
Reputation and controversy
Chick‑fil‑A is a long‑established US company, originally founded in the 1960s, and is widely recognised across America. Its UK expansion, however, has been accompanied by scrutiny: the company has faced criticism for its historical opposition to same‑sex marriage and for previous donations to organisations described by critics as holding anti‑LGBTQ+ positions. The chain last attempted a UK expansion in 2019.
| Business | Recent action |
|---|---|
| Footasylum | Appears to be closing its Clumber Street store |
| Chick‑fil‑A | Applied to install signage for a possible Nottingham branch |
| Greggs | Moved food behind counter citing anti‑social behaviour |
| Nationwide | Installed new safety measures at its building |
City centre traders and residents will be watching any planning outcome closely. If Chick‑fil‑A secures permission, it would join a wave of national operators reshaping high streets, while also raising fresh debate about the type of businesses local shoppers want and the broader environment in which they trade.
Nottingham City Council has been approached for comment on the signage application and on wider efforts to tackle anti‑social behaviour on Clumber Street. Footasylum and Chick‑fil‑A were also contacted for clarification but had not provided statements at the time of publication.
The situation highlights two ongoing trends: the churn of retail space on major shopping streets and the way public‑order and safety concerns can influence both trading decisions and the nature of new occupiers. Any formal planning documents or council responses will be published on the authority's planning portal and are likely to be monitored by local business groups and residents' associations.
