Museum’s Lottery bid on track

Erewash Museum’s bid to win nearly £450,000 of funding for its showcase plans for an all-new learning and visitor centre is now ready to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund ahead of the end of February deadline.

Erewash Borough Council has been working on the major grant application over the last year after it secured a ‘first round’ grant of £39,500 from the HLF to develop the exciting proposals – which would see the Museum’s coach house, stables and hayloft transformed into a new exhibition, learning and community venue with improved visitor facilities.

Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“This is an exciting project for our award winning Museum and there has been a lot of hard work put in to prepare the masterplan and the comprehensive bid for what is substantial funding. We have talked to residents of all ages about this project and we are delighted at the positive support we have received - and I know they will join us in eagerly awaiting a decision from the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

The ‘round two’ bid for full funding will see the HLF review the application alongside others submitted nationally, with results expected to be announced in June this year.
 

Free half-hour parking hits top gear

Residents have given a massive thumbs-up to the free 30 minute parking bays which have been provided in Erewash Borough Council’s town centre car parks . . . with more than 40,000 users snapping up the option in the first three months.

The council launched the free half-hour bays at the end of August and they immediately proved popular with residents, who welcomed the opportunity to park for free for short shopping visits to Ilkeston or Long Eaton town centres.

The provision of the free bays in selected town centre car parks was launched as part of the council’s wider ranging free parking scheme to attract residents and visitors into the towns and to support local traders.

Councillor Barbara Harrison, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

“This is great news and we are delighted that residents have so clearly welcomed the chance to ‘stop and shop’ and have embraced our drive to encourage people into our town centres. It is another example of our commitment to do all we can to help our High Streets – but we also want to applaud residents for using this opportunity and for showing their support for their home town. By working together and ‘shopping local’ we can make a difference.”

Drivers park in the designated 30 minute bays and obtain a timed ticket from the machine to display in their vehicle. Figures show that more than 40,000 of the half-hour bay tickets have been taken from the machines since the start of the scheme.

The good news follows the launch this week of the council’s three weeks of 24 hour free parking in all its car park between 16 December and Friday 3 January inclusive in a further move to encourage residents and visitors into Ilkeston and Long Eaton town centres.
 

Talkin’ about My Regeneration – Shop Front Grant Scheme

A new light repair grant scheme for Ilkeston traders has been being launched by the council assisting owners with the cost of repairs and renewing shop fronts to help improve the appearance of the town centre. The grant scheme is part of the Council’s regeneration programme to encourage local people and visitors to support our town centre by shopping at the historic market and in the diverse range of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

The scheme, funded by the council will help support the external repair and renovation of retail and commercial premises in Ilkeston town centre. Landlords and tenants can apply for a grant of up to £1,000, limited to 80% of the total cost of repairs – the council has set aside a total of £30,000 for the project which was launched on Wednesday 21 August 2013.

Councillor Geoffrey Smith, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning said:

“I am delighted that Erewash Borough Council has made funds available to help improve shop fronts and the look of Ilkeston as part of the regeneration programme. The council is working hard with local businesses to ensure that we do everything possible to keep our town centres vibrant and improve the shopping experience for residents and visitors to Ilkeston.”

The new light repair grant scheme is part of the Council’s regeneration programme including the clearing and repair of gutters, extended free parking across the borough, themed markets, free short stay parking, installation of hanging baskets, town centre events, replacing unsightly hoardings to improve the appearance of empty shops and the launch of ‘Love your town’, a campaign to remove cigarette litter from the town centre.

Businesses wishing to apply for the light repair grant scheme should contact the council’s Economic Development team on 0115 907 2246 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FORM HERE (PDF)

Want to start your own business?


Advice on how to start up your own business will be offered in a ‘Self Employment’ awareness workshop in Ilkeston on Monday 10 September.

The morning session is part of ‘Opportunities for Erewash’ – a month long festival of events that begins this week with the aim of helping 60 young people into employment.

The ‘Thinking of Starting Your Own Business?’ session is free and will be held at The Old Police Station on Wharncliffe Road in Ilkeston from 9.45am-12noon.

Anyone interested in attending must pre-register by contacting Rachel Fernandez at Erewash Borough Council on 0115 907 2244 ext 3572.

‘Opportunities for Erewash’ has been organised by Erewash Local Strategic Partnership and runs until 5 October. It features a packed programme of events aimed at opening up jobs and offering advice and support to young people as they seek employment.

A full list of events can be found at www.erewash.gov.uk – click on the link ‘Opportunities for Erewash 2012’.