Funerals at old police station
CHAPEL PLANS WELCOMED BY TOWN’S RESIDENTS
AN old police station is set to be converted into chapels as part of a funeral director’s expansion plans.
The proposal, which is tipped to cost £350,000, would see Gillotts Funeral Directors in Nottingham Road, Eastwood, renovate the neighbouring abandoned building so it can host funerals.
Three chapels, one of which will be large enough to hold intimate funeral ceremonies, will be created under the plans.
The premises, built as a police station in 1878, has been empty for four years, and many residents have welcomed the change of use after it was approved by Broxtowe Borough Council.
Peter Cole, 89, said: “I can’t see why it’s any harm being a chapel. And what other shops could you get?
We don’t need food shops, we don’t need any more charity shops or cafes.
“A chapel is as good as anything.
“If it’s empty doing noth
A chapel is as good as anything. If it’s empty doing nothing and just deteriorates then it’s a waste of space
Peter Cole
ing and just deteriorates then it’s a waste of space.”
Harry Riley, a 61-year-old shop supervisor, agreed.
He said: “Maybe it’s a good idea. It probably is something that is needed in this area. People travel to Bramcote, Wilford at the other side of Nottingham and all over the place.”
An anonymous shopper added: “Something needs to be done with it. It has been sat there for a long while – it is a really nice building. I think it would make a nice chapel.” Joanne Hutsby, a partner in Gillotts, said she was “pleased” to announce the plans.
She added: “Changing trends and the lockdown has meant that many families prefer to have smaller, intimate funeral gatherings and our plans for a larger multi-purpose chapel will give them somewhere they can hold a service before their loved one is taken to be buried or cremated. “It’s a first for Gillotts, but it’s another sign of how we are adding new facilities to keep up with what families are looking for when they set about planning their loved ones’ funerals.”