A Japanese gaming giant is planning to open a new store on Clumber Street in Nottingham.
Bandai Namco has submitted plans to open what it calls a “cross store” on Clumber Street, in a building that was once home to Sports Direct.
The Japanese publisher and developer is behind some of the world’s biggest gaming universes and franchises, including Pac-Man, Tekken, Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Tamagotchi and Ace Combat.
Sports Direct was once one of Clumber Street’s leading retailers until its closure in early 2025, having relocated to a separate store on Lister Gate months earlier.
The old unit has been left empty ever since.
A planning statement says: “The proposed fit-out of 28 Clumber Street as a Bandai Namco Cross Store represents a positive and sustainable investment in a prominent city centre building within the Old Market Square Conservation Area.
“The development will bring a significant destination leisure and retail use to a well connected and publicly accessible city centre building, supporting the vitality and viability of Nottingham’s city centre.”
The very first Bandai Namco Cross Store opened in Japan in 2022.
Bandai Namco says it opened with the aim of providing fans with the opportunity to see a number of Bandai Namco offerings under one roof – including new games and character merchandise.
Following its success in Japan, the concept was expanded to the UK.
Two flagship stores are currently open in London and Birmingham, with Nottingham set to become the third if plans are approved by the City Council.
Planning documents show the ground floor would form the primary retail and arrival level, housing a Gundam Assembly modelling, retail and construction area, and a Gashapon collectable goods vending area.
Gundam Assembly is a competitive tabletop miniatures and skirmish wargame, with players assembling and painting plastic sci-fi miniature figures similar to Warhammer 40k.
The first floor would then house the Family Entertainment Centre (FEC), while the second floor would accommodate other sports zones as well as the toilets.
It would provide an area for trading card retail, events and tournament play.
The plans are currently under consideration by the council.
According to the Land Registry, the unit had been owned by Wirral Borough Council in Merseyside through its Merseyside Pension Fund (MPF).
The building was last sold for £11,740,000 in February 2011.
The MPF has since sold the asset to a private owner.
By Joe Locker Local Democracy Reporter
