Town centre £10m revamp to start in coming weeks

A £10m project to upgrade the centre of a town in Derbyshire is set to begin in the coming weeks.

Erewash Borough Council said work along High Street and Tamworth Road in Long Eaton will start in June and was expected to be completed by spring 2027.

The work - funded through the government's Towns Deals - includes new paving and places for people to relax. Designs for the makeover include a nod to the town's history, including its furniture industry.

Councillor Curtis Howard, cabinet member for town centres and regeneration at the council, said: "It has been a long process to get to this point but we have been determined to get things absolutely right."

The council said the town's market will move back to its original home at Long Eaton Market Place but contractors will be "working closely with shops and businesses so they can open as usual".

Acclaimed artist Dame Laura Knight – who was born in the town – will have a trail dedicated to her as part of the work.

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 founded in 1769, the council said.

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 and Claye Street car parks.

Tamworth Road will remain open during the works but lanes will be narrowed or made one-way, the council added.

Richard Ledger, a 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 businesses that will continue to operate while the work is going on."

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