£5.3m plans to bring back former cinema as entertainment hub
A DERELICT building could be turned into a new entertainment hub following a £5.3 million makeover.
The redevelopment of the prominent site – the former Box Office bar in Long Eaton – is one of the key ambitions of Erewash Borough Council.
The property, which stands at the very heart of the town centre overlooking the Market Place, was previously the Ritz Cinema and later a bar, and was designed to not need daylight.
A small cinema for independent films, a cafe and performance areas are amongst the ideas put forward by the local authority.
The move comes after the Long Eaton Town Deal Board won £24.8 million of funding for Long Eaton for a series of projects to take the town forward over the next decade.
The proposal to revitalise the former Box Office would open it up for commercial opportunities to be run as a thriving culture and arts venue and is being described as a “unique opportunity” by the council.
The council announced it is “testing the water” to find possible expressions of interest in running the site as a community facility.
But first they say it is crucial to hear from organisations or groups on how they would use the redeveloped interior and earn an income from it. Richard Ledger, chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said initial ideas on how the building could be commercially run for the community are needed now to help shape the interior design and redevelopment.
“This is a great opportunity for those with ideas, commitment and ambition to provide a thriving centre for Erewash residents – with the potential of also pulling in visitors surrounding areas. We’re looking for interested parties who have the imagination and inspiration.”
Erewash’s lead member for town centres, Coun Bryn Lewis, added: “We need to see who is out there and who might be interested as soon as possible.
“This is crucial to our project to redevelop the building, which is in a poor state inside, and will enable us to look at the interior design – especially the use of floor space on the ground and upper floor/balcony areas.
“The Box Office is a prominent building right at the centre of Long Eaton and is a great opportunity for someone to help breathe new life into the town by offering arts and cultural entertainment for everyone.”
Full details can be found at www. erewash.gov.uk/boxOffice or email procurement@erewash.gov.uk for a questionnaire that needs to be completed and returned by 2pm on Monday January 10.