A non-profit making shop that gave away two tons of chocolate when it was opened by a visiting beauty queen is one of the latest outlets to get a huge boost from an Erewash Borough Council crusade to keep local high streets thriving.
Others include a mecca for brides – and a former cheesecake shop that is now a swish café. All got council grants to help pay for their shopfronts.
The Living Hope Community Store in Ilkeston was launched to help those struggling with the cost of living. Miss Diamond UK – alias Sian Hooton – cut the ribbon at its grand opening as delighted crowds were offered free choc bars.
The Bath Street store’s project manager Chris Jones said: “We gave away two tons.”
The outlet began as a food bank in a Methodist church basement early in 2023 but had to find bigger premises after it “exploded with popularity”.
Chris said: “We are open for everyone who needs us, it doesn’t matter if you are a student, a pensioner, employed or unemployed. Working poverty is currently on the rise in the UK and there is a lot of stigma around it. We don’t judge anyone.”
The store won funding under the council’s Empty Shop Signage Grant Scheme – as did a bridal shop in the town.
In Long Eaton, signage for what is now a smart café was funded by the council initiative – which the authority is urging more new businesses to take advantage of. The grants are worth up to £2,000. The money is from a government levelling-up pot called the Shared Prosperity Fund – so does not come from Council Tax. The premises had stood empty for five years.
Ex-mental health worker Janine Lawmon had always wanted to open a café. Janine's daughter, 22 year old Keeley, is helping her with the café, said: “I used to come past this place, stare at it and think, I’d love to get in there. I went for an alcohol licence so people could have a glass of prosecco or wine with afternoon tea – and then I said we can do cocktails while we're at it."
Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Alex Breene said: “We are over the moon to have helped Janine realise her dream – and also wish the very best to the other new business that have won grants. We urge more to follow their lead as the council continues to tackle the blight of retail units lying empty in our towns.”
To find out more about the grants click on the Erewash Borough Council website here: Empty Shop Signage Applicants Guide (erewash.gov.uk)