Borough Council £10k helps get art deco icon restored

Pictured: Tailor made: after (above) and before (below) images of what used to be an eyesore show how £10k council grant has helped with the restoration of Long Eaton’s former Burton building.

A majestic art deco emporium that used to be a mecca for men’s tailoring is standing proud again – thanks to Erewash Borough Council’s war on town centre stores being left in disrepair by uncaring property investors.

The former Burton building in Long Eaton – which was built by the gents’ outfitting chain almost 100 years ago – was in such a sorry state it had become an eyesore looming over the town’s High Street.

The culprits were Nottingham-based owners who even rejected a council offer of a grant to improve the building’s appearance – forcing the authority to seek an order compelling repairs.

The section 215 notice under the Town and Country Planning Act could have been a prelude to the council doing the work itself before sending the property firm a bill. But it instead led to a sale of the building – with the new owners happy to work with the authority.

The former tailors is now looking smart again – complete with its refurbished sign that in the old days sent a message to discerning gentlemen. It proclaims: “Montague Burton – the Tailor of Taste.”

The company that bought the building is run by local, Sawley-based businessman Sam Skidmore. He has a passion for Long Eaton and was determined to see that the £10,000 from the council under its Shopfront Improvement Grant scheme was put to optimum use.

Sam told how a “sensory café” is now set to open in one of the iconic building’s three ground floor units. He said: “The whole concept is really exciting – and the owners are really lovely. It will hopefully attract more people to the High Street.”

The other units are home to a barbers and an electrical store. On the first floor of the building, which opened in 1935, is a much-loved nightclub that has been operating for decades.

Cllr Curtis Howard, Erewash’s Lead member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “The Burton building boasts such heritage we were not prepared to see it left as an eyesore. Long Eaton deserves better than that. What we are doing is putting absentee landlords on notice that they cannot just leave our town centres to rot.

“Another shameful example is in Ilkeston – where TV rental chain Wigfalls had an outlet on Bath Street until it shut up shop 23 years ago. The premises have stood vacant ever since while increasingly being neglected. The council has now made it clear to the owners – we are coming after you.”

One Long Eaton resident impressed with how the Burton building now appears commented online: “Money well spent, looks amazing!”

Another posted: “Good on the council for taking action. If the owner doesn’t do the work or pay for the council to do it, the building should be taken over with no compensation.”