Town plans £3m renovation scheme

The town centre will be made more attractive for visitors

A Derbyshire town is to get a £3m facelift to help regenerate buildings and attract new businesses.

The money for Long Eaton is from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Erewash Borough Council and building owners.

Market Place and Lime Grove are to have their "original character" restored and the 19th Century Lace Factories will have structural problems fixed.

The project is expected to take five years to complete.

The Lace Factories area, to the west of the Erewash Canal, was the home of traditional lace manufacturing which developed in Long Eaton.

Business boost

Most of the old industries have gone and although the buildings are still used for manufacturing, many are not fully occupied and show signs of decay.

The scheme aims to bring businesses and people back into the town, improve the condition of targeted buildings and make the area more attractive to business.

Sue Blakeley, the council's director of development, said: "We will be restoring the town centre to its original character and generally improving the environment.

"And by investing in the Lace Factories we hope to attract businesses to the area and keep those that are here."