Local writer Alan Dawson, writing under the pseudonym #madeinmansfield, looks to the future for Mansfield and says its resilience will help the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

He writes:

Relaxing in the warm autumn sun, eating the best cheese toastie that I have ever tasted (and with the best service), I could not think of anywhere else I would rather be today.

I am sitting outside the Titchfield Tea House, which is located at the North end of Titchfield Park, Mansfield – or Titchy Park, as it is known locally. To the left of me there is a group of people playing boules and scattered around the perfectly-manicured lawns are families and friends enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company.

If I so wished, I could have exercised on the outdoor fitness equipment across the bridge to burn off my lunch. However, I choose to sit on a bench next to the River Maun instead and watch the clear water flow until I can feel my eyes beginning to close. With winter in the wings, days like this must be treasured.

Like most towns in North Nottinghamshire, Mansfield needs further development. Driving into the town from the A38 the aesthetics are vastly different from that of the picturesque Titchfield Park.

There are fences and wooden barricades surrounding the skeleton of the old bus station. However, looking at the positives, and there are many, the area is being developed and the site has been acquired for a hotel and leisure scheme. The £12m development, which has recently been approved by local councillors, may look an eyesore presently but, in the future, it may bring 140 jobs to the town, which will impact positively on associated businesses/shops.

Coun Sonya Ward fears that her beloved town, like others in North Nottinghamshire, may become a commuter town for Nottingham and Sheffield unless there is a real drive for regeneration and local jobs. Sonia, who was the Labour Parliamentary candidate for Mansfield in the last election, believes in the resilience of the town and its townspeople, but worries that the identity of Mansfield is under threat, despite the direct support and endeavour from her and her hard-working team.

Mansfield MP Ben Bradley agrees with this point but suggested that Mansfield has more going for it than other towns in the North Nottinghamshire area. He referred to the beautiful listed buildings around the town and the attraction of the Market Square and Four Seasons shopping Centre.

Although he is saddened by boarded-up-shops, he believes that recent developments in the town – such as Travelodge Mansfield on St Peters Way, which could bring in £2,000,000 annually for the town’s economy – will help the town secure its identity.

Mansfield is resilient, there is no doubt about that, but there is a long way to go before it can return to near its former glory. Times are hard for most former industrial areas and the coronavirus pandemic has obviously hit hard on the local economy. The market town needs to build on the positives that have been created by local leaders to develop its infrastructure and job market.

I believe that every town is reflected in the success of its football club. And with the recent appointment of Nigel Clough at One Call Stadium, the Stags will surely begin to climb up the League Two table and be in contention for promotion to League One by the end of the season.

In his last match at the helm before Clough steps in, caretaker manager Richard Cooper masterminded a shock 1-0 away victory over League One promotion favourites Sunderland in the FA Cup First Round… and things don’t get much better than that! COYS!