Borough council presses owners of long-disused Ilkeston shop to carry out urgent repairs

A boarded-up shop in Ilkeston is now undergoing urgent repairs following talks with Erewash Borough Council. The premises were deemed a danger to the public following the Council’s inspection.

The Albion building at 100/112 Bath Street has stood empty for years. It used to be home to TV and electrical store Wigfalls – a company that was taken over by Dixons Stores Group in the late 80s.  In later years, Ilkeston used to have a Currys store on the same street but not at the same premises.

Owners of the former Wigfalls store, Vermion UK Ltd, are now taking action following an application to Derbyshire County Council, which is in charge of highways, to close the pavement and next-door side street so scaffolding could be put into place

Councillor Alex Breene, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “I am pleased to see the start of remedial work on the Albion building in Ilkeston. 

“Erewash Labour’s manifesto was clear. Residents and landlords alike should expect this council to drive town centre regeneration and to do everything within its power to proactively bring empty commercial properties back into use.

“Decline is not inevitable. It is a key priority of this council to work with our communities to protect our town centre heritage and to deliver our road map to regeneration.”