IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Player Street, NOTTINGHAM, NG7 5NB

The candy-striped building is part of The Student Lodge, established in the former Player's cigarette factory (much of which was destroyed by fire in Spring 2015 - see Image] and others). This is the north end of Radford Boulevard, looking down the hill towards the junction with Alfreton Road and Gregory Boulevard. Image] is a view from the other side of the road.

These buildings were built as offices for John Player & Son, the tobacco company. The grey middle section bridges Player Street, which was closed to motor traffic after a fire on 30 March 2015 destroyed the Victorian factory buildings which were being converted to student accommodation. The white building, which replaced a Victorian one, was built as late as the 1960s, shortly before Player's moved from Radford to a new factory in Dunkirk designed by Arup Partners. In the Pevsner Architectural Guide to the city, Elain Harwood writes: “Radford House, Player’s former offices, by McMorran & Whitby (1965-7) is weatherboarded, with neo-colonial C18 sashes and columned entrance (condemned as 'superficial' by the City Architect David Jenkin)."

A view from the corner of Osborne Street, showing the remains of the former Player's cigarette factory. The white building, fronting Radford Boulevard, is the office block built 1965-7. Player’s original factory, No 1, designed by R C Sutton (1881-2), was four storeys high and 387ft/119m by 38ft/12m. Until 1902 it was shared with lace manufacturers. After Player’s moved to a new factory it became Player’s Court, housing various businesses (see Alan Murray-Rust’s Image]). Latterly it was part of The Student Lodge until being destroyed by fire on 30 March 2015. Only a quarter of the building was occupied as conversion work was still going on. For an idea of Player's in its heyday, see http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/nottingham1906/nottingham16.htm .

A view along Player Street showing the remains of the former Player's cigarette factory. The white building, fronting Radford Boulevard, is the office block built 1965-7. Player’s original factory, No 1, designed by R C Sutton (1881-2), was four storeys high and 387ft/119m by 38ft/12m. Until 1902 it was shared with lace manufacturers. After Player’s moved to a new factory it became Player’s Court, housing various businesses (see Alan Murray-Rust’s Image]). Latterly it was part of The Student Lodge until being destroyed by fire on 30 March 2015. Only a quarter of the building was occupied as conversion work was still going on. Alan Murray-Rust’s Image] and Image] give an idea of the building before the fire. For an idea of Player's in its heyday, see http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/nottingham1906/nottingham16.htm .

The former John Player & Sons No.3 (Radford Road) Factory. This is the Player Street entrance as seen from Osborne Street showing the proximity of the row of terraced houses on Player Street to the factory. The factory premises are currently standing empty.

A view from Osborne Street towards Player Street. Player’s original factory, No 1, designed by R C Sutton (1881-2), was four storeys high and 387ft/119m by 38ft/12m. Until 1902 it was shared with lace manufacturers. After Player’s moved to a new factory it became Player’s Court, housing various businesses (see Alan Murray-Rust’s Image]). Latterly it was part of The Student Lodge until being destroyed by fire on 30 March 2015. Only a quarter of the building was occupied as conversion work was still going on. Alan Murray-Rust’s Image] and Image] give an idea of the building before the fire. For an idea of Player's in its heyday, see http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/nottingham1906/nottingham16.htm .

The former Player's No 1 Factory on Player Street was destroyed by fire on 30 March 2015. The adapted Victorian factory designed by R C Sutton (1881-2) was four storeys high and 387ft/119m by 38ft/12m. Until 1902 it was shared with lace manufacturers. After Player’s moved to a new factory it became Player’s Court, housing various businesses, before becoming student accommodation. For comparison, see Image], taken shortly after the fire from further down the street.

The large building straight ahead was once Player's No 1 Tobacco Factory, one of several in this part of Radford. The top two storeys were destroyed by fire in 2015, but conversion of the building to student accommodation has now been completed, retaining the Victorian ground floor. Image], also taken from Osborne Street, shows the steelwork required for reconstruction.

The former Player's No 1 Tobacco Factory, now The Student Lodge, was largely destroyed by fire at the end of March 2015. For comparison, see Image] (April 2015) and Image] (September 2015).

The building on the left was once Player's No 1 Tobacco Factory, one of several in this part of Radford. The top two storeys were destroyed by fire in 2015, but conversion of the building to student accommodation has now been completed, retaining the Victorian ground floor. These pictures may be of interest: Image] Image] Image] Image] Image]