Historic stables become new hub for businesses
Stable Block.
Last updated: 22/01/2026.
A ceremony at what used to be a complex of disused stables will see Erewash Borough Council’s Mayor formally handed the keys to a major new asset for the borough – a swish business hub where firms can set up home and create jobs.
The historic buildings right next to Long Eaton Town Hall have undergone a huge revamp to give them a new lease of life as high-spec offices and studios. They are already being advertised on Rightmove ahead of the official opening on Friday 23 January.
The former stables are Grade II* listed like the town hall itself – which was built in 1778 as a private residence for a gentleman farmer called Henry Howitt. They were more recently used as a vehicle workshop, then later for storage.
Their £2.5million transformation is thanks to the Town Deal that Erewash Borough Council secured for Long Eaton. It has led to a total of £25million pouring into the town in the form of Government regeneration funding. The council will be handed the keys to the Old Stables Business Centre by the Long Eaton Town Deal Board – with the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Harry Atkinson accepting them on behalf of the authority.
Prospective tenants are being invited to attend an open day a week later on Friday 30 January from 1pm to 3pm.
A whole new look for the centre of Long Eaton is among a string of other projects that the Town Deal is funding. Work on upgrading the High Street at a cost of £10million will begin this year. The town will also get two new bridges spanning the Erewash Canal. Meanwhile Derby Road’s derelict Galaxy cinema has been demolished to make way for a new commercial centre that will include affordable homes.
Local businessman Richard Ledger, who chairs the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said he was thrilled that townsfolk were beginning to see results after six years of intense planning work behind the scenes to make best use of the £25million boost.
An entire new waterfront, including an events space, will be constructed alongside the new footbridge that will be built at Broad Street. Richard told the BBC: “You look at what's happened in Birmingham, in London, for canalside environments – it was time we did something like that in Long Eaton. If we get more people who can come down here and actually appreciate it and experience it, it's got to be a good thing,"
Councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning at Erewash Borough Council, said of transforming the former stables: “There is real demand for modern office space in Long Eaton catering to small, local, and start-up businesses. This project creates jobs and brings new people into the town centre every single day. Perhaps they’ll go out and buy their lunch, maybe they’ll all go for drinks after work – all fuelling our local economy.”
Find out more about the new business hub on Rightmove.
Forth Bridge firm builds new crossing over canal
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 14/01/2026.
A firm that makes bridges and whose experts help to maintain one of the UK’s most iconic crossings has begun factory construction of a new link that will span the Erewash Canal – as part of Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal.
The company – Wigan-based Beaver Bridges – is responsible for inspecting the suspension cables of Scotland’s famous Forth Road Bridge.
It has started work on fabricating the footbridge and cycleway that is due to be craned into place in Long Eaton in the summer.
The Britannia Mills Bridge near Canal Street is being delivered by local based firm Stepnell Limited and will improve connectivity in the town – halving the mile-long distance between canal crossings north of the town centre. The location for it is close to where 109 new affordable homes are nearing completion on the site of an old lace-making complex.
The metal crossing is one of two across the canal that are being funded by Government investment that the council helped to secure for the town. The other bridge – a dramatic curved structure – will replace the existing Broad Street footway, which is nearing the end of its lifespan. Access to the towpath will be improved, plus there will be a new waterfront leisure space.
A host of projects funded by the regeneration money include a £10million revamp of the town centre – which will also begin this year. Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“The council has been to visit the Wigan bridge factory at Ince-in-Makerfield and is pleased to report that great progress is being made. Long Eaton’s residents will soon have not one but two new crossings over the canal – and it will be quite a sight when each of these fantastic bridges is craned into place.”
£25m Town Deal progress is groundbreaking
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 18/11/2025.
A day of ceremonies to officially break ground on projects to transform one of Erewash’s towns will take place this month as Erewash council forges ahead with the £25million regeneration of Long Eaton.
Civic leaders and officials will see where preparations are being made for the construction of a spectacular new bridge at Broad Street – and will also visit a prime site that has been cleared following the demolition of a derelict cinema.
New affordable homes will be built as part of a showcase development where the Galaxy picture house stood. It had been a crumbling town centre eyesore for more than a decade – and Erewash Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson grabbed a sledgehammer last May to start flattening it.
Local business leader Richard Ledger, who chairs the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “Next year will also see work start on transforming the area around the High Street, where £10million of the regeneration funding is being spent. Things are really ramping up as local people begin to see tangible benefits from the investment that is pouring into the town – after a colossal amount of work behind the scenes to get to this exciting stage.
“The magnificent new canal bridge at Broad Street is part of a new waterfront amenity that we are building. The crossing will be a new landmark for the town thanks to its stunning design.
“At Galaxy Row there will be 16 high-quality flats for social rent plus four townhouses earmarked for shared ownership. This will create a vibrant new community alongside the building of three commercial premises.”
Representatives from developer MyPad and affordable housing association Tuntum will join officials at the Galaxy site visit. Tom Spink, director of MyPad, said: “In addition to providing much-needed high-quality, affordable homes, the scheme will support the creation of full and permanent job opportunities and deliver highly energy-efficient properties that contribute to long-term sustainability. We are proud to be playing a key role in enhancing the fabric of Long Eaton and helping to shape a thriving future for the town.”
The site visits on Tuesday 25 November will be followed in the New Year by the official opening of a swish new businesses centre. It is another project funded by £25million of Government regeneration money that the council helped to clinch for the town.
The self-contained studios and offices in The Stables – a listed building next to Long Eaton Town Hall – are already being advertised on Rightmove. The link is here: Commercial property to lease in The Stables, Cranmer Street, Nottinghamshire, NG10
New Bridge is Big Deal
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 13/01/2026.
Work has started to build a bridge over the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton which will be a vital link for residents of the town.
The Britannia Mills bridge, which will be near Bennett Street, is one of the Government funded Long Eaton Town Deal projects.
It will link, via a traffic free route, the canal towpath to the Canal Street district of the town.
Construction work is being carried out by Stepnell, the same company who are replacing the dilapidated Broad Street bridge at West Park. It is expected to be complete in the summer.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, says:
“It is great to see work on another town deal project getting underway. The new bridge at this location will provide a link for residents in the Canal Street district who will be able to access the canal towpath via the new bridge. A lot of hard work has gone into getting these projects off the ground and I look forward to seeing more of them completed so that the community of Long Eaton can reap the benefits.”
The Long Eaton Town Deal saw the council secure almost £25 million of funding from the government in 2020 to make vital improvements to the town.
Other projects include the conversion of a former stable block into a modern office space behind the town hall, a new commercial and residential development at the site of the former Galaxy Row cinema on Derby Road, and improvements to the High Street.
New lighting and an events field were new additions to West Park, where a new replacement bridge is being built that links the park to Broad Street.
Bridge to shut from Nov 6 for ‘stunning’ replacement
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 22/10/2025.
Residents who use the canal crossing to get to Long Eaton's West Park are being warned that the bridge will shut next month – so that the spectacular new walkway can be built.
Pedestrians will need to follow diversions from 6th November 2025 when the existing link from the heart of Long Eaton to West Park closes.
Dismantling of the decaying bridge at Broad Street will then begin – ahead of it being replaced by a dramatic curved structure that sweeps across the canal.
Construction as part of Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal is expected to be completed during August next year. The diversion will see pedestrians having to cross the canal via Derby Road. Erewash Borough Council apologises to locals for this inconvenience.
The authority is working closely with the Canal & River Trust on the bridge project – which includes the construction of a smart new waterfront.
Local businessman Richard Ledger, who is chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “The new bridge will be a real stunner – and something Long Eaton can be truly proud of.”
Linny Beaumont, regional director for the Canal & River Trust, said: “It’s great to see these fantastic plans progressing. The new bridge promises to be a real local landmark, which will not only make it easier for the local community to access the canal but also create a point of interest where people want to stop and spend time by the water. We’re looking forward to working with Erewash Borough Council as this exciting project takes shape.”
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