Nottingham cattle market: Trading resumes after 'fireworks blaze'

Traders have returned to Nottingham's cattle market following a major fire that destroyed four business premises and damaged several more.

It is the first market since Sunday's blaze at the 132-year-old site.

Keith Butler, marketing manager for auctioneers Arthur Johnson and Sons, said they were "staying positive" and it would be "business as usual" for stall traders.

Three people were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of arson.

The three - two men and one women - have since been released under investigation.

Nottinghamshire Police said the fire had "involved fireworks".

Mr Butler said: "The south-west end of the site is pretty devastated but it's been fenced off so it is safe - we couldn't operate otherwise.

"There's lots of charred, twisted metal and the remnants of people's businesses.

"Several buildings were completely burned out but the historical heart of the place is still there."

The Meadow Lane site includes Nottingham's market house, which opened in 1886, and the historical cattle house.

"Luckily, neither of those were affected by the fire," said Mr Butler.

He said he was expecting huge public support on Saturday.

"We usually get a few hundred [people] but we're expecting up to 2,000 people. It's a real feature of Nottingham life," he said.

Some market traders had their storage units destroyed.

Neil Artis, a flower trader for 10 years, said: "I've had to start again with fresh stock and am still going through negotiations with insurance.

"But it's no use sitting and crying - you have to carry on. I've had a lot of support from regulars, which has been really nice."

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