The former home of a 126-year-old weekly newspaper which closed in 2008 could be turned into town centre flats.

Derbyshire title the Long Eaton Advertiser, along with sister papers the Long Eaton Trader and Nu News, which covered Melbourne and Castle Donington, were shut 18 months ago as part of wider structuring by Trinity Mirror Midlands.

Now a developer is hoping to turn the disused offices in the town’s West Gate into 24 one- and two-bedroom apartments, complete with 18 parking spaces.

The Advertiser had been housed in the West Gate building since 1928 but moved a short walk away to Derby Road in the early 1990s.

The project was originally given planning permission in summer 2005 with the condition that work commenced on the development within five years.

As this has not happened, a reapplication for planning permission has been lodged with Erewash Borough Council and is now being considered by its officers.

Former Advertiser journalist Philip Dalling said: “It would be a great shame to see the end of a building where at one time a flourishing series of five weekly newspapers were written, edited and printed.

“I know from many conversations I have had that the Advertiser is greatly missed in the area.

“It is amazing and, to a journalist rather chilling, that a town of such a size cannot support a weekly newspaper.”

Comments

Mr and Mrs Thorpe (12/04/2010 14:48:40)
We entirely agree with Mr Dalling’s comments. As residents of Long Eaton, we miss the Advertiser very much. As it said on the front of the paper, it was “the voice of the town”. Now the town has no voice.