Businesses in and around Trent Bridge are always happy to see international cricket staged at Trent Bridge.

The increased thoroughfare of people leads to a busy but successful time for Nottingham, one which many will thrive over the coming summer.

Café Olive, situated just over the road from the Radcliffe Road stand, is no different to this as assistant manager Javid Oomian relives past match days.

“We have to employ an extra member of staff during the Test to ensure everything runs smoothly,” Javid said.

“Other than that from two weeks before we are making sure we are stocked up to the max and then we should be fine,” he added.

“This Ashes brings with it a great atmosphere and we look forward to it ever year.” Javid Oomian

With spectators allowed in and out of the ground on match days, places like Café Olive will benefit from the fans craving different outlets to eat on a long Test day.

“On the first day everyone stays in the stands a bit more to try and get their feet in the ground,” Javid said.

“By the second day they realise there are other café’s, businesses and pubs so they explore a little more and that is when we get busy.

“This Ashes brings with it a great atmosphere and we look forward to it ever year.

“Everyone who comes in is happy and dressed up bringing a festival feel to the place right on our doorstep.

“Its good fun and we try to enjoy the atmosphere as much as possible.

“The city slips under the radar a bit and games like these make people realise what a good place this is.”

Most visitors to Nottingham will have seen the statute of Brian Clough in the city centre. However, few will be familiar with an equally impressive statue of another of Nottinghamshire’s sporting heroes, Harold Larwood.

This imposing nine foot bronze statue stands in the middle of Kirby in Ashfield. It was created by local sculptor Neale Andrew, who is quoted as saying: “I think it shows the fearsomeness of his bowling, and you can imagine standing with a bat 22 yards away and – err well- I wouldn’t like to be there!”

Lets hope that the Australian batsman will feel the same this week when they face local lad Stuart Broad!

Paulette Moxam is a receptionist at Trent Bridge House, the County Council building on the corner of the cricket ground and we asked her about how she is feeling about the impact of the Test Match on the office.

“I’m excited about it,” she said.

“I don’t follow cricket, but when there is a Test on, there is always a buzz about the place.

“There is a nice atmosphere around the ground, and it is really great that it puts Nottingham on the news around the world.”

Paulette won’t be watching the match, but she can hear the roar of the crowds from where she sits, and is looking forward to England doing well.

With thousands set to descend on West Bridgford for the fourth Investec Ashes Test, the Trent Bridge Inn’s Philippa Bacon, has her work cut out for her ahead of Australia’s arrival in Nottingham.

“I’m pulling in staff from other pubs in Nottingham city centre are getting involved and coming over to help us for those five days.”

The Trent Bridge cricket ground and Inn share a long history, going back as far as the ground’s inception.

In 1837 Notts captain and coach William Clarke married the pub’s landlady, before converting the land behind it into the foundations of the venue seen today. Bacon has seen the appeal of this history first hand.

“I had a gentleman in about six months ago who came in and asked for a tour around the pub,” she said.

“It was almost like a mini museum tour for him, looking at the old cricketing memorabilia and photographs.”

Bacon added: “The architect put in a lot of time making sure that the pub could be seen in that way, having old bats signed by players and really thought about keeping the TBI as close to the cricket ground as possible.”

When the Ashes test begins on August 6, all eyes will be on Nottingham, and the city is sure to become a thriving, exciting place to be. Tens of thousands will be in the ground to watch the cricket live, while many more will be taking it in via Sky TV.

“As much as cricket fans will be in the ground all day you find that people go further afield than those places around the ground, it boosts the city massively.,” said Bacon.

“Before the game, after the game, the entire city is buzzing. I know from last year that town was absolutely heaving and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic.

“Even my friends from outside Nottingham know about Trent Bridge, what’s around the cricket ground and the football grounds too, it’s a good thing to have.”

Bacon added: “On big match days the back bar opens into the ground.”

“It makes for a nice atmosphere, because you can still have the front of the bar open for your locals, your regulars.

“You don’t want to be annoying your regulars, even in the case of this massive event.”

No business knows the impact of an Ashes test like one that is situated so closely to the ground.
The Larwood and Voce is one of the best examples, with their top bar backing on to the ground and providing a great view of proceedings.

With the Ashes just around the corner, the whole pub and especially General Manager Dan Cramp are awaiting their busiest part of the year.

“We have different bars that we run out during big matches and all of them will be in full force come the Ashes,” Dan said.

“There is a cellar bar and upstairs is open for the white-ball games but international matches are huge and you get a lot more upstairs so it is all hands on deck.

“We have to double up on staff with all bars being staffed with three or four on match days.

“International matches are huge and you get a lot more upstairs so it is all hands on deck.” Dan Cramp, General Manager

“Add to that breakfast time, where seven or eight staff will be needed instead of the usual three or four and you are looking at about 15 to run the site each day.

“It is never a problem though as you get people on board and everyone works hard to ensure it is run smoothly.”

Away from the pub, Dan realises the importance of these matches for the club and the surrounding businesses in West Bridgford.

“It is good for everyone as I say the ground is one of the best venues in Britain and everyone knows that.

“With so many stylish pubs and restaurants we all do well so it’s very important for big matches in order to keep them in the spotlight.

“The same applies to elsewhere in Nottingham. An increased amount of people will always help businesses and we are quite lucky as Bridgford is a busy site and we are situated near a cracking venue.

“It is happy days for everyone!”

The Ashes are coming to Trent Bridge and with just a week to go, the official tourist board Experience Nottinghamshire has been working with local tourism businesses to welcome cricket fans from across the globe. Here is the first of their blogs for us:

Visitors coming to Nottingham to see the greatest cricket rivalry in the world will be able to access a wide range of special offers and experience the best the region has to offer at a variety of bars, restaurants and attractions. These are all accessible via a dedicated page to Trent Bridge on the destination website.

There’s always a buzz around when international cricket comes to town and not many cities are able to offer such a welcoming atmosphere that you’ll find at Trent Bridge and in the West Bridgford area.

Let’s face it though, most cricket fans like to come for a pint too and who can blame them? The appeal of enthralling sport and a pint in the sun is a strong one. Once the game is over there are a number of nearby pubs who are offering great beer festivals to sample some of the unique local ales on offer.

There’s so much going on that we’ll be posting more about events and offers closer in the run up to the big showdown.

You don’t have to get right into the action though and we’ve got plenty of other attractions for you to enjoy. Head out to Sherwood Forest and catch this stunning venue, full of woodland beauty. We also have one of the largest National Trust properties in England, with Clumber Park taking up over 3,000 acres.

If stately homes are more your thing, try the former home of the poet Lord Byron at Newstead Abbey or visit Wollaton Hall, a filming location for the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.

We hope you’re ready to enjoy the best welcome in Test Match cricket because we can’t wait for the action to start.