Cinema purchase speeds town revamp.
Galaxy Row Project.
Last updated: 24/05/2024.
A quest to rid an Erewash town of a major eyesore has taken a giant leap forward – with an announcement by the borough council that it has bought Long Eaton’s derelict Galaxy cinema.
The news – which follows painstaking negotiations – avoids a long drawn-out compulsory purchase as the authority drives forward levelling-up investment of £25million in the town.
The council revealed it has also acquired the former Stage One nightclub – clearing the way for a wholesale regeneration of what is known as Galaxy Row.
Both buildings are poised to be bulldozed as part of Long Eaton’s “Town Deal” – which is cash that Erewash Borough Council helped secure from the government.
The demolitions will see smart new homes and commercial units built on the prominent Derby Road site. The plan is for three business premises plus 16 flats and four townhouses. There will be 28 parking spaces, which will be accessed from Oxford Street at the rear of the development. The council is currently actively seeking a development partner for the scheme. The decrepit cinema has blighted Long Eaton since closing more than a decade ago. Planners said: “No proposals for re-use have come forward in ten years. It does not lend itself to a conversion to an alternative use.
“Given the apparent lack of developer interest and limitations of the former cinema for its reuse and the poor current appearance of the building, the loss of the building is considered acceptable.”
A massive £10million refurbishment of the High Street is looming. Richard Ledger, who is chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, welcomed the purchase of the cinema and nightclub. The local businessman, who studied physics with Stephen Hawking at Cambridge, said:
“Long Eaton will be reinvigorated under the Town Deal – becoming an increasingly vibrant place to live and work. I would like to thank not only the council but also the people of Long Eaton who along with local businesses have been backing the campaign to unleash the town’s potential.”
Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said of the authority’s acquisitions:
“This is a vital step toward finally getting spades in the ground on one of our most important levelling-up projects. Once completed, the new Galaxy Row development will provide new and modern commercial space for local businesses, and much needed, high-quality new homes.
“With this and proposals for the £10million High Street upgrade now well underway, we are ambitious for the future of Long Eaton town centre. This proves it.”
Boost for business hub project.
Stable Block Project.
Last updated: 21/05/2024.
Long Eaton Town Deal’s Stable Block refurbishment project is set to recommence construction activities later this month.
The building is being renovated to become a centre for commerce and innovation.
Work originally got under way last year but had to be put on hold when Nottingham construction giant J Tomlinson Ltd – which won the contract – rocked the building sector by going bust.
Erewash Borough Council was among a string of local authorities and government bodies that were left having to find new contractors to complete projects.
It meant painstaking fresh negotiations – but the town hall’s search is now over. Derbyshire-based Trident Construction Services Ltd has been engaged to complete the work.
The Stable Block project is being funded by government levelling-up cash as part of a £24.8million “Town Deal” that the council helped win for Long Eaton.
Offices, meeting spaces and studios will be available when the building next to Long Eaton Town Hall is transformed. The new business hub aims to create more than 30 jobs. Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson said:
“This showcase project is among several that will help transform Long Eaton thanks to the council securing huge government investment to revitalise the town. The collapse of the original builder was a blow but we are pleased to be back on course.”
The old stables form part of what is known the “curtilage” of the Grade II* listed town hall – which was built in 1778 by Joseph Pickford of Derby. Back then the town hall was a house for “gentleman farmer” Henry Howitt.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said:
“We have been pulling out all the stops to minimise delays to the refurbishment of the old stables, which will enhance Long Eaton as a place to do business. The project will create the kind of modern hub that we know there is a demand for.”
High Street Latest.
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last Updated: 25/03/2024.
Derbyshire County Council, as the local Highways Authority, has been appointed to deliver the Long Eaton Town Deal High Street project, which will see major improvements to the town centre.
The project will see the High Street and Tamworth Road revitalised to make a pedestrian friendly space. This will allow high-quality new paving, street furniture and planting to be introduced, matching the design standards of the Market Place and creating a much safer and more appealing environment for visitors to the town centre.
The project is one of five that is being made possible after Erewash Borough Council secured almost £25million of investment from the Government. The projects are being led by the Long Eaton Town Board.
A programme of engagement with the different users of the High Street, to help inform the design, will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
Future’s bright as park gets £245k lights.
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last Updated: 14/05/2024.
Experts make light work of installing new lampposts to illuminate an Erewash park – as a £245,000 project gets under way again after being hit by the wet winter.
Erewash Borough Council appointed contractors last year for the boost to Long Eaton as part of its £25million Town Deal.
But the stormy weather in 2023 meant work had to be paused after West Park was left flooded.
A total of 42 lampposts will light up an extra 1,215 metres of pathways so residents can go walking, running and cycling after dark.
Two gateways are among previously unlit sections that will be illuminated.
The new low-energy lighting will complete a figure of eight pathway through the park. Power will also be installed at the bandstand.
The Town Deal investment is money the council helped to secure from the government to regenerate Long Eaton.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “Getting the West Park lighting project back on track really is brilliant news. Residents will soon be able to make even more use of what is a much-loved local amenity.”
Revealed: Stunning new bridge for town.
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 28/12/2023.
This is the spectacular new canal bridge that is poised to link the centre of Long Eaton to the town’s award-winning West Park.
Architects unveiled the artist’s impression ahead of the unloved existing walkway being demolished as part of a huge waterfront project.
It is all thanks to £25million of investment which will transform Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council helped to clinch the government money in a coveted Town Deal for the borough.
A formal planning application for the new landmark spanning the Erewash Canal at Broad Street has now been submitted to the authority. Part of it sweeps over private land – whose owners have swung behind the project to help boost the town.
The local businessman who heads the Long Eaton Town Deal Board paid tribute to them – and also praised input from the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust.
Richard Ledger said: “The bridge and associated waterfront is a fabulous collaborative project for Long Eaton with the public and private sector working together to enable it to go forwards.
“Without the kind generosity of local people the project would not have been able to deliver the fabulous design that we now have.”
The existing bridge was built in 1913 and is close to the end of its lifespan. The height of it is so low that towpath walkers and cyclists have had to duck under it for more than 100 years.
One pensioner who welcomed the replacement told how he knew of somebody getting hurt.
Another local posted online: “This is WAY overdue. I knocked myself out once on the bridge as I walked under it and split my head open. It’s also very corroded and outdated. Finally some good news for Long Eaton residents.”
A woman who told how she had lived in the town for more than 20 years said of the design: “It looks good.” Long Eaton Town Deal Board chairman Richard said:
“The iconic new bridge should be something that the town can be really proud of. Together with the new waterfront area for West Park the canal will be transformed from being a barrier that splits the town in half to a real asset for Long Eaton.
“There will be launching for paddle boards and kayaks together with improved access for all, including cyclists. This should draw more people into the town and through to the park.
“This project, above all, delivers on the Government’s transformational Towns Fund – with local people having driven it from conception to the finished design. I for one can’t wait to see the work starting and the difference it will make for the people of the town.
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