A BOARDED-up shop in Ilkeston is to undergo urgent repairs after Erewash Borough Council put pressure on the owners by deeming the premises a danger to the public.
The Albion building at 100/112 Bath Street has stood empty for years. It used to be home to TV and electrical store Wigfalls.
The council had hoped to make a compulsory purchase as part of its crusade to regenerate the borough’s town centres. Erewash made a bid for levelling up money but was turned down by the Government in January.
Owners Vermion UK Ltd are now taking action. The company has applied to Derbyshire County Council – which is in charge of highways – to close the pavement and next-door side street so scaffolding can be put up.
Councillor Alex Breene, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“I am pleased to see the start of remedial work on the Albion building in Ilkeston.
“Erewash Labour’s manifesto was clear. Residents and landlords alike should expect this council to drive town centre regeneration and to do everything within its power to proactively bring empty commercial properties back into use.
“Decline is not inevitable. It is a key priority of this council to work with our communities to protect our town centre heritage and to deliver our roadmap to regeneration.”
