Whichever way you look at it Nottingham underplays its heritage.

Robin Hood, the city's industrial past, Lord Byron, the Civil War and the City of Caves all have the potential to excite local people about where they live – and thrill visitors.

But less and less of this heritage is accessible to residents or visitors. Museums have closed or opening hours are much diminished.

So, a proposal by Simon Barton, managing director of Bartons, to make space available at a site in Beeston is worth considering.

Sadly, Councillor David Trimble has reacted with little enthusiasm. He says the city hopes it can find volunteers to extend the opening hours of existing facilities. This would be good.

But surely, given the council's financial difficulty, it is worth exploring other options, too?

And Mr Barton's offer is worthy of further investigation.

Taken from the 'This is Nottingham Website'

A blue plaque has been unveiled by Beeston Civic Society to commemorate one of Nottinghamshire's most famous sons.

Thomas Henry Barton was the founder of Barton's buses, once the largest independent bus company in Western Europe and one of the first firms in the world to operate a timetabled bus service.

Des Coleman reports from the company's headquarters in Chilwell.

Click here to view the video on the BBC's website (text taken from the BBC website)