Research

The University of Nottingham funds ‘Beacons of Excellence’, set up to tackle global challenges such as securing sustainable food supplies, ending slavery and reducing our reliance on fossil reserves. 

Focusing on diseases that have the biggest impact on societies but lack adequate treatment, a ‘beacon’ for advances in imaging for precision medicine offers the prospect of new understanding and revolutionary treatments. 

In the Propulsion Futures beacon, academics and researchers are collaborating with businesses and organisations to pioneer new ways of moving people and goods. 

Nottingham Trent University meanwhile, specialises in five key research themes - sustainable futures; medical technologies and advanced materials; safety and security of citizens and society; health and wellbeing; global heritage: science, management and development.

Fashion

One of Nottingham’s most famous and successful sons is fashion designer, Sir Paul Smith. 

Starting his career in fashion aged 15 with a job as an errand boy in a Nottingham clothing warehouse, his designs for the showroom displays caught the eye of his boss. 

This led to a position as the factory’s menswear buyer, aged 17. By 1976, Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris under the Paul Smith label. 

Paul Smith is now a global phenomenon. His collections are designed in Nottingham and London before being wholesaled to 35 countries and shops around the world (including 200 throughout Japan). Sir Paul’s most stunning retail venture however is Willoughby House, a five-floor, Grade II listed building in Nottingham for men’s and women’s collections. The shop’s interior has been designed by Sir Paul and complements the 18th century building’s history.

Architecture 

Watson Fothergill (1841-1928) is famous for having a positive effect on Nottingham's cityscape. He was the son of a wealthy lace manufacturer and merchant and at the age of 11 moved to Nottingham. Heavily influenced by European gothic architecture, he became known as Nottingham's most flamboyant Victorian architect. 

Groups can follow the Watson Fothergill Trail around the city and discover the buildings he designed, which include his offices in the Lace Market and the Rose of England pub on Mansfield Road. 

Alternatively, you can choose the Architecture Ale Trail. This particular trail will take groups around most well-known and best loved pubs located within some of the finest buildings in Nottingham.