Demolishing eyesore pub could start street revival

EXCITEMENT OVER PLANS FOR NEW BUSINESS CENTRE

A DERELICT pub in a Derbyshire town could be set to make way for a brand new business centre.

Ian Hodgkinson, director of Hodgkinson Builders based at Pride Park, has applied to Erewash Borough Council to demolish the derelict Poplar pub, in Bath Street, Ilkeston, to create the centre.

The plans also involve creating a new road leading to 19 new homes. According to the plans, 18 of the 19 new homes to be built on the new road, to the rear of the business centre, have already been pre-sold to Futures Housing.

Mr Hodgkinson said: “This could be the start of a Bath Street revival. I’ve had plans to redevelop the Poplar for a while and the time is now right to do so.

“There are lots of benefits of having a business centre in Ilkeston, especially with the train station being so close.

“There’s also a demand for affordable housing in the area, with more and more people looking to live in areas such as Ilkeston, which have an easy commute to Nottingham and Derby.”

Mr Hodgkinson said he plans to recycle some of the materials from the demolished pub to create the business centre.

He intends to use stonework and signage to create original features within the business centre as a respectful nod to the history of the Poplar pub

In its current state, the unused pub, which closed during the recession, is an eyesore for those who use Bath Street.

The new properties will be made up of two and three-bedroom homes and apartments. The 19th house on the street will be a barn conversion. Ian Hodgkinson hopes to win permission to demolish the Poplar Inn, at Ilkeston, to make way for a business centre

As well as the former pub, Mr Hodgkinson has also bought a nearby butcher’s shop, which will be renovated into a new shop or office.

Mr Hodgkinson, who was born in Ilkeston, said: “It’s great to put something back into the town. It’s something which has been a lifelong dream of mine.”

If planning is approved, it is hoped that building work will start next year, with the build completed by mid-2020.

Alan Boucker, director of development and investment at Futures Housing Group, said: “Futures is pleased to be able to partner with Hodgkinson’s on this exciting regeneration project.

“These new homes will contribute to our ambitious development programme, which will see us deliver more than 1,000 homes through the East Midlands by 2020.”

Ian Viles, chief executive of Erewash Partnership, said: “We welcome the developments planned by Ian and believe that they will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in that area of the town.”

Tina Clough is managing director of Poppy PR, which is based in Bath Street.

She said: “I’m really excited at the prospect of a new business centre opening, having been based on Bath Street for the last three years.

“The state of the area annoys me and it’s clear that it needs a serious facelift.”

The state of the area annoys me and it’s clear that it needs a serious facelift.

Tina Clough, Poppy PR