News

Richard Blackmore from The East Midlands Chamber

5.1% East Midlands unemployment too high despite falling trend says Chamber

The East Midlands Chamber has cautiously welcomed a slight drop in the region’s unemployment to 5.1% but said skills investment is needed to get more suitable candidates into roles. The estimated figure from the Office for National Statistics, for over 16s in the East Midlands, covers April to June 2026 and reflects a gradual downward trend, with minor fluctuation across 2026 but unemployment in the region remains higher than a year ago. In the same period in 2025 - April […]

18 August 2026 22

Borough Wide

Regional Mayor opens £10k fund for grassroots sports organisations (Deadline: 23rd August 2026)

Grassroots organisations across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to apply for a share of £10,000 following on from Mayor Claire's Summer of Sport. The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, has launched the Community Activity Challenge Fund, offering grants of between £250 and £2,000 to local groups to deliver free sport and activity opportunities between 1st September and 30th November 2026. The fund is designed to increase participation in sport and physical activity by supporting organisations to deliver […]

17 August 2026 58

Derby

Derby Market Hall review

A request to publish the full findings of the Market Hall review in public has been refused – prompting concerns of “secrecy”. The city centre venue reopened last year following a £35m restoration project. However the Market Hall – owned by Derby City Council – is currently forecast to make a loss of £338,000 due to a “shortfall of trader income”. It follows public criticism surrounding the historic building, with claims it has an “empty” feel and its footfall is […]

17 August 2026 23

Around 150 people held a protest rally in their efforts to save the Chaddesden Wood ancient woodland. Individual pics are of Helen Cherry and David O'Dowd.

Derby

Surveyors seen next to ancient woodland on the edge of Erewash

There are fears over the future of an historic Derby ancient woodland more than a year after plans for new homes were rejected. Surveyors have been spotted on land next to the Chaddesden Wood nature reserve in Oakwood, sparking concerns about a new bid to build homes. Councillors have told residents that a revised planning application is “almost 100 per cent certain” to be submitted. According to Oakwood councillors Matthew Eyre, Freya Trewhella and Jamie Mulhall, residents contacted them after […]

17 August 2026 89

Ilkeston

Erewash flat conversion plans

Plans to turn a series of historic pub buildings into flats have emerged after a bid to make the site a 19-bed HMO was rejected. Jet Property Lettings has put forward new plans for the former buildings which had comprised part of the Old Harrow Inn in St Mary Street, Ilkeston. Last May, Erewash Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected plans to turn the 120-year-old former pub buildings, just behind Bath Street, into a 19-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO). […]

17 August 2026 42

Cotmanhay

Derelict canal side pub under new demolition plans

New plans to demolish a derelict Derbyshire pub have been filed more than a year after the owner was ordered to secure the problem site or bulldoze it. The former Bridge Inn pub in Bridge Street, Cotmanhay, which sits alongside the canal and close to Bennerley Viaduct, has been an eyesore and anti-social behaviour hotspot for years instead of a tranquil watering hole. Last March, Erewash Borough Council ordered the owner, Bridge Inn Cotmanhay Developments Ltd, to secure the site […]

17 August 2026 108

Borough Wide

Families and carers help shape the future of support across Derbyshire

Parents and carers from across Derbyshire have helped shape the future of support for children, young people and families through a series of Families First Partnership (FFP) parental engagement sessions held across the county. Between June and July, seven engagement sessions took place, both in person and online, covering areas which included Long Eaton. To ensure as many families and carers as possible could take part, the programme offered a range of ways to get involved. Alongside the face-to-face sessions, […]

17 August 2026 36

Borough Wide

Sandiacre man prosecuted for his part in reckless driving incident

A Sandiacre man has been banned from driving for his part in an incident in which he followed another driver who was described as "a serious collision waiting to happen." 28 year old Reese Edwards of Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre, was driving behind 25 year old Tommy-John Mustafa as part of actions which were filmed via smart glasses. A court heard that Mustafa regularly used the glasses to record himself recklessly driving his highly modified Toyota GT86 in the months prior […]

15 August 2026 42

Summer Kidz

SUMMER KIDZ: Kids travel free – the most scenic places under-16s can reach for free this summer

This August, under-16s can travel on local buses for free to help tackle the cost of living. Families can enjoy cheaper days out this summer, thanks to the government providing free bus travel for 5-15 year olds. From castles to sprawling country parks and beautiful stretches of coastline, families can explore some of country’s most scenic destinations this summer without paying a penny for their child's bus fare. This announcement builds on the £3 bus fare cap, helping people keep […]

14 August 2026 23

5.1% East Midlands unemployment too high despite falling trend says Chamber

Regional Mayor opens £10k fund for grassroots sports organisations (Deadline: 23rd August 2026)

Derby Market Hall review

Surveyors seen next to ancient woodland on the edge of Erewash

Erewash flat conversion plans

Derelict canal side pub under new demolition plans

Families and carers help shape the future of support across Derbyshire

Sandiacre man prosecuted for his part in reckless driving incident

SUMMER KIDZ: Kids travel free – the most scenic places under-16s can reach for free this summer

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