Smarter high streets pledged by council
The crackdown comes hot on the heels of other new boosts to the streetscape, including setting aside fresh money for bus shelters to be repaired.
Teams have been sent out to identify town centre premises that let down the borough by appearing shabby or neglected.
Owners, including those of vacant units, are being spoken to. The council is keen to work with them – but as a last resort can compel repairs. Three ultimatums have already been issued in Long Eaton.
Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “As a council we can issue what is called a maintenance (section 215) notice that can require the owner or occupier to deal with the poor state of a building.
“We don’t want to do that but we have a duty to act on behalf of residents where buildings have become an eyesore that blight the town centre.”
A scheme that has run over the past few years has given grants towards new shopfronts when businesses move into vacant units. It coincides with £25million in regeneration money that has been pouring into Long Eaton after the council helped to clinch the “town deal” boost from the Government.
The funding will see the High Street transformed. At the same time a decrepit cinema – the Galaxy – will be replaced by an attractive development of commercial units, townhouses and flats. Demolition of the old picture house is already getting underway.
Meanwhile in Ilkeston there are plans to transform Bath Street’s long-vacant Argos store. The council is supporting an application by the site’s owners for government funding via the East Midlands Mayor to turn it into two retail outlets plus 11 apartments.
Councillor Howard said: “One of the priorities of the Labour administration is to take action to improve our town centres. That includes ensuring that the best use is made of the opportunities for new businesses to move in – while encouraging property owners to maintain their buildings.”
Pictured: Artist’s impression of Long Eaton’s new-look High Street