Cinema hit! Mayor wields sledgehammer on eyesore

EREWASH’S new mayor Harry Atkinson kicked off the demolition of a notorious eyesore in the borough – by grabbing a sledgehammer himself as crews set to work on the derelict cinema.

He was joined by a local business leader who also had a bash before heavy machinery began levelling the old Galaxy picture house.

The BBC’s East Midlands Today filmed 25-year-old Harry wielding the sledgehammer in Long Eaton for a news item on him becoming Erewash’s youngest ever mayor. He said as he proudly wore his chain of office: “Great things are happening in our borough and this is just one of them.”

The cinema on Derby Road closed more than a decade ago and has been a crumbling blight on the town ever since – with locals keen to see the back of it. The council moved to compulsorily purchase the movie theatre and a disused nightclub next door after the Government agreed to inject £25million of regeneration cash into Long Eaton. The properties were eventually acquired by negotiation.

Demolition is expected to take four months and will be carefully managed to minimise disruption to locals. Three commercial premises will be built as part of a showcase new development of 16 apartments for affordable rent. There will also be four “shared ownership” townhouses.

Access to 28 parking spaces will be from Oxford Street at the rear of the site.

Erewash’s leader James Dawson, his deputy Becca Everett and Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning Cllr Curtis Howard were part of a council delegation as demolition got underway. They were joined by representatives from developer MyPad and affordable housing association Tuntum.

The businessman who joined the Mayor in swinging a sledgehammer was Richard Ledger, chairman of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board – who hailed the “positive impact” of redeveloping the site.

Council leader James said: “This is truly a great day. The regeneration of Galaxy Row will see it become a vibrant community of mixed-tenure homes – plus businesses.”

TunTum chief executive Charmaine Simei said: “This exciting regeneration project will transform the long-derelict site – delivering 16 high-quality flats for social rent and four family homes for shared ownership.

“The scheme demonstrates our commitment to building affordable homes, revitalising local areas and supporting mixed, sustainable communities.”

Tom Spink, director of MyPad, said: “This development represents exactly the kind of impactful, community-led regeneration we’re passionate about.

“In addition to providing much-needed high-quality, affordable homes, the scheme will support the creation of full and permanent job opportunities and deliver highly energy-efficient properties that contribute to long-term sustainability. We are proud to be playing a key role in enhancing the fabric of Long Eaton and helping to shape a thriving future for the town.”

The cinema originally opened as a theatre in 1907. The last film to be screened there is thought to have been the 2012 Liam Neeson fantasy epic Wrath of the Titans.