Town Deal Proposals to Improve Long Eaton Town Centre Unveiled.
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last Updated: 06/01/2025.
The long awaited Town Deal proposals to improve Long Eaton Town Centre are being unveiled on-line today. The plans include:
- Remodelling High Street to make it a visitor attraction in its own right, with a new central square, architectural features, greenery, more seating, and features to celebrate the local furniture industry and local celebrity Dame Laura Knight,
- Widening the pavements along Tamworth Road and Market Place from Broad Street / Salisbury Street to Oxford Street,
- Providing new dedicated blue-badge parking on the old back-market and in existing car parks, and improving the access from parking areas to shopping streets.
Proposals to celebrate Long Eaton’s globally important upholstery industry include street furniture in the design of sofas and armchairs, whilst groundbreaking war artist Dame Laura Knight, who was born on Union Street, is to be the subject of a featured trail.
The aim of the improvements, which are funded by UK Government, sponsored by Erewash Borough Council, managed by Derbyshire County Council and designed by leading highway engineers Galliford Try and BWB, is to make the town centre a more attractive place to visit and spend time in. That in turn is expected to not only improve the viability of existing town centre businesses, but to help attract the new generation of high street entrepreneurs needed to serve Long Eaton into the future.
The project is based on consultation with the local community in 2020 which found support for improving the town centre, including through more planting and improved seating. That in turn formed part of the proposals of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board that were submitted to UK Government in 2021. It has been a long process to get to this point, including further targeted engagement with taxi drivers, street traders, market traders, high street retailers and blue badge parking users which has informed the design. The on-line proposals are now open to public comment from 6th January to 16th February 2025, with two drop-in sessions at Long Eaton Town Hall from 2pm to 8pm on Thursday 16th January and Monday 20th January.
Councillor Curts Howard, Lead Member for Town Centres, said:
“It’s very exciting to finally be unveiling our £10 million high street upgrade. A new look and feel for our town centre will be good for local business, and for local residents. I’m looking forward to getting work started in the town centre this autumn.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said:
“I’m pleased that we are now able to share the plans with the people of Long Eaton. What is planned will make a major change to the town centre for the better. I would urge everyone to come along to the events to find out more, and let us have their views.”
You can view the plans and provide feedback: https://my.engaged.space/longeaton
Field day! Park gets new showcase arena.
West Park Leisure Hub Project.
Last updated: 29/11/2024.
Major open-air extravaganzas such as Erewash’s biggest carnival have just been given a huge boost – with the completion of work by the council to create the perfect venue for staging events.
The project has seen power hook-ups, new lighting and water supplies installed at what has long been used as a staging post for the carnival’s floats.
Car park improvements have also been made to tempt more promoters and community organisations to use what is now a showcase two-hectare arena.
The events field at West Park in Long Eaton covers the equivalent of five acres. Bookings to use it are now being accepted via the Erewash Borough Council website.
Funding for the outdoor venue has come from £25million of government money pouring into Long Eaton under a “Town Deal” that the council helped to clinch.
The events space is where the Long Eaton Carnival’s floats assemble before a spectacular parade through the town. The carnival fete itself is also in West Park – on an even bigger expanse of grass.
But the events field also plays a vital role because it is used by the organisers for regular car boot sales that are held throughout the year to raise funds.
The 2025 procession of floats is on Saturday 21 June. The theme of the parade will be officially unveiled on Thursday 28 November – at a stall that the carnival organisers will be manning when Long Eaton’s Christmas lights are switched on. Last summer’s theme was “That’s Entertainment”.
The council’s improvements to West Park have thrilled the dedicated volunteers who keep the 93-year-old festival of fun going.
Tim Fryzer-Smith said: “Last summer’s carnival was an amazing weekend – and we will be working hard to make 2025’s even better. June might seem a long way off but our message to all those wishing to take part is that as soon as theme is announced start thinking about your fantastic floats and walking parties.”
Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“The council is delighted to announce the transformation of the West Park events field – which means we have a superb venue for community organisations such as the Long Eaton Carnival to make use of. The arena is something the borough can be truly proud of as other projects across Long Eaton see us get maximum impact out of the £25million of Town Deal investment.”
To find out more about hiring the events field – or one of the several other sites available from the council – click on the Book your event page.
Bridge No2 gets council go-ahead
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 20/09/2024.
A SECOND new bridge over the Erewash Canal has been given the formal go-ahead after the borough council granted planning permission.
The crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will span the waterway where new housing is being built on a former industrial site near Canal Street in Long Eaton.
Residents have long faced a trek to get to the other side of the canal since no crossing has existed before at what used to be Britannia Mills.
Erewash council granted consent for the metal bridge at a Long Eaton Town Hall planning committee meeting on Wednesday (18th September).
It comes months after another bridge – spanning the canal at Broad Street – got the green light to replace a century-old crossing linking the town centre to West Park. The landmark new bridge there will boast a spectacular sweeping curve.
While the crossing at Britannia Mills will be simpler, council planners have made improvements to the original design – in consultation with the Canal & River Trust.
A report said the enhancements “add interest to the elevations of the deck with a curved steel plinth which is repeated through the ramps.” It continues: “This detailing provides interest and reflects the industrial heritage of the canal and the former industrial site alongside.”
Both new bridges are thanks to the “Town Deal” that the council battled to secure for Long Eaton. It is seeing almost £25million of government investment pour in.
The Britannia Mills bridge will provide a link to National Cycle Route 67 thus improving connectivity to not only the town centre but also encouraging active travel. Cllr Curtis Howard, Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“Having secured the Long Eaton Town Deal and spent years working hard behind the scenes, it’s great to be in a place where these projects are now becoming a reality. Part of what makes Long Eaton special is the canal running through its heart, and what we’re doing here is upgrading it for the 21st century.
“We’re linking up previously unconnected parts of Long Eaton north of the town centre, and the halved distance between canal crossings will make it more accessible for all.
“We’re especially proud to have worked hard on this project with the Canal & River Trust and Futures Housing, who are delivering brand new affordable canal-side homes where the new bridge will be built.”
Cllr Howard said of other Town Deal projects: “On West Park, we have new lighting in place, and the enhancement of the events field there is progressing well. The project to convert the town’s old Stable Block into a hub for businesses – bringing in new jobs – is deep in construction. Meanwhile a developer will soon be in place to replace the old Galaxy Row cinema – as hard work on the looming £10million High Street upgrade continues. So watch this space.”
Long Eaton Town Deal Latest.
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 15/10/2024.
Find out the latest on the Long Eaton Town Deal in this video where Richard Ledger, chair of the Town Deal Board, and Councillor James Dawson, Vice Chair and Leader of Erewash Borough Council, give an update on the exciting projects taking place in the town.
£25million of investment will transform Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council helped to clinch the government money in a coveted Town Deal for the borough.
Town Deal Projects take shape.
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 04/09/2024.
Millions of pounds of investment in Long Eaton are making a positive impact for residents and businesses.
The Long Eaton Town Deal projects - made possible following Government funding of £25 million in 2021 - are reaching the development phase, with some now complete.
Work continues to convert listed former Stable Block outbuildings at Long Eaton Town Hall to create a modern business hub. Pictured at the site are, from left, Town Deal Board chairman Richard Ledger, Chris Pearson, of building contractor Trident, and Cllr Curtis Howard – Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning.
New lighting is now in place at West Park; 42 low-energy lampposts light up an extra 1.2 kilometres of pathway, and work has started on the park’s events field which will be a showcase venue for open-air concerts and outdoor events.
Work to put in place a new iconic bridge over the canal from Broad Street to the park and create an attractive waterfront where people can relax will start in January.
The design of a new bridge at the former Britannia Mills – which will form part of a much-improved walking and cycling network - is due to be finalised. Planning permission is expected in September with work anticipated to start in March.
Work continues to convert listed outbuildings at Long Eaton Town Hall to create modern business hub providing managed workspace units for local businesses.
As well as this the council recently acquired all the properties at Galaxy Row which includes a former cinema. It is now in the process of finding a development partner so that work can begin on the exciting new project which will include new commercial space and homes.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said:
“Years of planning has gone into these major projects, so it is fantastic when you start to see all the hard work paying off. In the not too distance future residents and businesses will start to notice more of the projects taking shape and I’m excited for the result.”
Councillor James Dawson, vice chair of the Town Board, said:
“The Long Eaton Town Deal is a step closer to its aim of revitalising the town and improving facilities for residents. We will make sure that residents continue to be updated along the way.”
A High Street project to revitalise the town centre, led by the local Highways Authority Derbyshire County Council, has been delayed due to design changes, with a new completion date of October 2026. The County Council is due to hold meetings with the contractors and will update the council on the next steps.
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