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Regeneration Agency Breathes New Life into Empty Office Building to Help Businesses

Regeneration Agency Breathes New Life into Empty Office Building to Help Businesses

Enterprise agency Erewash Partnership has settled into its new headquarters In Long Eaton, with a  formal opening planned for next month.

The Partnership has taken over Bridge House, a disused office block at the junction of Derby Road and Cranmer Street, in the centre of the town, and breathed new life into it after it lay empty for years. It has signed a lease with Erewash Borough Council for the building and to help its regeneration has spent almost £60,000 refurbishing it to a high standard.

It has been converted to provide a range of new office suites. A room has been reserved for seminars and training sessions and will be available for hire.

There are new kitchens and toilets, including facilities for people with disabilities, and even a shower for people who may wish to cycle to work. The shower and cycle storage have been assisted with a grant from the sustainable travel team at Derbyshire County Council.

The Partnership has also set up a new base in Castledine House, Heanor Road, Ilkeston, a Victorian building which it renovated in 2010 to create offices to house start-up and small businesses, where members and others can receive advice.

It will also be delivering part of its own enterprise support programme from Derby College's new Ilkeston premises in Pimlico. This range includes support for people going self-employed and setting up businesses.

There are 12 office suites for businesses at Bridge House, all but two of which have been let on easy in, easy out terms.

Partnership chief executive Ian Viles said: “We are pleased that most of the suites have already been let, particularly as we have not even marketed them.

“We are delighted to be based here in our new offices in Long Eaton. This is expansion - we are spreading our wings to  provide more support and services to businesses here while still maintaining a strong presence in Ilkeston.”

The premises will officially be opened on Friday October 17 by entrepreneur and businesswoman Saira Khan, who was born in Long Eaton.

Saira shot to fame as runner-up on the first series of television programme The Apprentice in 2005 and is a co-presenter of The Martin Lewis Money Show.

Later that evening, Saira will be guest of honour at a Partnership dinner at Trent College in the town to mark 20 years of the Partnership inspiring enterprise. She will also present awards to businesses to mark the anniversary. Almost 30 organisations have been nominated for five main categories.

Businesses that have already set up in the new suites include Upskill Assessment and Training and Intelligent Financial Advice. Also moving in is local architect Alan McGowan.


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