Drop in to get updates on town's £10m revamp
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 01/07/2026.
PEOPLE keen to know more about a huge £10million makeover that is transforming the heart of their Erewash town are being invited to monthly “drop-in” events so they can be kept up to speed.
The first of the specially arranged sessions for them to meet some of those behind the new vision for Long Eaton is on Tuesday 7 July. The venue is a former drapers shop on the High Street – where work on the town’s colossal revamp got underway at the start of June.
Residents and local business people are being encouraged to get the lowdown by popping into No22 – now a popular bar called Rowells – from 11am to 2pm.
Further sessions will be held on the first Tuesday of each month. The aim is to provide updates and the opportunity to ask questions about how work is progressing to turn the High Street and nearby Tamworth Road into a thriving destination for shopping and leisure.
The transformation is thanks to the £25million Long Eaton Town Deal – which has been funding a string of projects after Erewash Borough Council clinched the regeneration investment from the government. A successful town hall exhibition in the run-up to the High Street work starting was a previous chance for people to ask all about the project.
Local business leader Richard Ledger, who chairs the Town Deal Board, said: “The High Street project is definitely the showcase one and has taken years of meticulous planning – not least to ensure that shops and businesses can remain open while work is underway. This is something we are very keen to stress.” Signs have even been put up around town to underline the message.
The remodelled town centre will be greener and more welcoming – while boasting a vibrant new main square. Design elements include benches that have been made to look like comfy sofas – in a tribute to Long Eaton’s proud furniture-making industry.
There will also be a trail dedicated to one of the most acclaimed artists of the 20th Century – the late Dame Laura Knight. She was born in the town.
The refurbishment of the High Street and Tamworth Road – which will get wider pavements – is due to be completed by next spring. Town Deal chair Richard said: “It is going to be a truly massive boost for Long Eaton.”
Business as usual while work takes place
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 02/06/2026.
Traffic management will be in place in Long Eaton while improvement work takes place in the town centre.
This will be installed overnight Tuesday 2 June 2026 requiring a road closure. It will be live from the morning of Wednesday 3 June 2026 and will narrow the lanes to standard width.
This will ensure safety for those working on the High Street project which is part of the Long Eaton Town Deal. This will be in place on Tamworth Road and Market Place (B6540) between Broad Street and Oxford Street.
Long Eaton will remain open for business. See our High Street FAQ for more details.
Long Eaton’s £10million revamp to start in June
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 29/04/2026.
A huge £10million project to transform the centre of Long Eaton is poised to get underway within weeks, Erewash council has announced.
The massive facelift to turn the High Street into a vibrant destination for shopping and leisure has been given a June starting date.
It comes a quarter of a century after the borough’s other main town of Ilkeston underwent a similarly spectacular revamp – and is being funded by Government regeneration money as part of the £25million Long Eaton Town Deal.
The work, which also encompasses Tamworth Road, is set to be completed by spring next year.
The town’s market will move back to its historic home – Long Eaton Market Place – but contractors will be working closely with shops and businesses so they can open as usual.
A greener and more welcoming town centre with smart new paving and places for people to relax is being promised. Designs for the makeover include elements that celebrate Long Eaton’s proud history, including its furniture industry.
Acclaimed artist Dame Laura Knight – who was born in the town – will have a trail dedicated to her. She died in 1970 at the age of 92 after becoming the first female painter to be elected to the Royal Academy since it was found in 1769.
Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “It has been a long process to get to this point but we have been determined to get things absolutely right for the people of Long Eaton.
“It has meant engaging with retailers, market traders, taxi drivers and blue badge parking users. Their feedback has helped to inform the final design, which will be something local people can be truly proud of.”
Residents are being advised:
- Blue badge access and parking on the High Street will be suspended while work takes place.
- New blue badge parking has been provided in the Beaconsfield car park and the one in Claye Street.
- Tamworth Road will remain open during the works – although lanes will be narrowed or made one-way.
Richard Ledger, the local businessman who is chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “We wish to thank local people in advance for their patience as this immense project comes to fruition – and urge them to support all the shops and business that will continue to operate while the work is going on.”
Long Eaton revamp: Drop in for preview on 13 May
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 13/05/2026.
Erewash residents are being invited to see how their town will start to undergo a dramatic transformation from early next month – as the borough council stages an exhibition about the huge £10million regeneration project.
The afternoon preview at Long Eaton Town Hall on Wednesday 13 May is being billed as a drop-in event for local people to get the full lowdown ahead of work getting underway in June.
Plans and artist impressions will be available to view from 2pm to 4pm – showing how Long Eaton’s High Street will be turned into a vibrant destination for shopping and leisure. The work, which also encompasses Tamworth Road, is scheduled to be completed in spring next year.
Residents and visitors can look forward to a greener and more welcoming town centre with smart new paving and places for people to relax. It comes a quarter of a century after the borough’s other main town of Ilkeston underwent a similarly spectacular makeover.
The showcase project is thanks to Government regeneration funding as part of the £25million Long Eaton Town Deal. The investment has fuelled a string of projects including two new canal bridges – one of which is almost complete.
The town’s market will move back to its historic home – Long Eaton Market Place – to allow the revamp of the centre to take place. But contractors will be working closely with shops and businesses so they can open as usual.
Local businessman Richard Ledger, who is chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said: “We are thrilled to be giving local people a town centre they can be truly proud of. Our aim is to get it thriving again by encouraging more people to shop and spend time there – leading to new retail outlets opening.”
Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “Finally putting spades in the ground on the big High Street upgrade is a major step toward Long Eaton’s future. I want to stress that shops and businesses will continue to be open and accessible as usual while the work to transform our town centre takes place.”
Design elements for the new-look town centre include references to Long Eaton’s history, including its furniture industry.
There will also be a salute to Long Eaton being the birthplace of one of the 20th century’s most acclaimed artists – Dame Laura Knight. Her masterpieces include photo realistic World War Two depictions of women working on the home front in munitions factories.
Dame Laura died in 1970 at the age of 92 after becoming the first female painter to be admitted to the prestigious Royal Academy since its founding in 1769.
There will be an opportunity to meet some of those involved in the town centre project – including representatives from contractors Galliford Try – at the drop-in event on 13 May. Residents are being advised that during the revamp:
- Blue badge access and parking on the High Street will be suspended while work takes place
- New blue badge parking has been provided in the Beaconsfield car park and the one in Claye Street
- Tamworth Road will remain open during the works – although lanes will be narrowed or made one-way.
Bridge comes down as town gets two new ones
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 04/03/2026.
The construction of a spectacular curved footbridge that will sweep over the Erewash Canal takes a major step forward next week – as engineers begin dismantling the old crossing that it will replace.
The existing metal bridge has stood for more than a century despite being built so low that towpath users in Long Eaton risked banging their heads on it.
It was nearing the end of its lifespan – and crews started disassembling it on Monday, 2 March.
The dramatic bridge that will take its place at Broad Street is poised to become a new local landmark. It will be accompanied by the building of a new waterfront giving access to the canal – and which is designed to be a public space where events can be held.
The crossing is one of two new canal bridges that will improve connectivity for residents thanks to the £25million Long Eaton Town Deal – which is Government regeneration funding that Erewash Borough Council helped to clinch.
The other footbridge is at Britannia Mills, where new affordable homes are being built. It is set to be craned into place within the next few weeks, according to a report to the Long Eaton Town Deal Board. The Canal & River Trust has been involved in preparations – with piling works said to be “progressing well” despite the recent wet weather.
Local businessman Richard Ledger, who chairs the board, said: “Crane activities to lift the bridge into position are scheduled for around Friday 13 March. These are truly exciting times for Long Eaton as a host of Town Deal projects start coming to fruition – with others well on track to be delivered in the timeframes that have been agreed with the Government.”
The transformation of a what used to be a complex of stables next to the town hall is among completed projects. The buildings have been converted into a swish new business centre – with a string of firms moving in after the Mayor was officially handed the keys in January.
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In West Park the Town Deal has funded the installation of new lighting – along with the creation of a new events field.
Elsewhere in the town, work has started on building a new commercial centre following the demolition of Derby Road’s derelict Galaxy cinema. Affordable housing is part of the project.
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