Demolition starts on the former factory shop

This week, the demolition of the dilapidated former factory shop on Ellis Street, Kirkby, has begun. 

Ashfield District Council purchased the run-down building earlier this year with plans to knock it down and rebuild a more attractive building. The site will welcome a modern apartment complex featuring a flexible ground floor space, bringing desirable town centre living to Kirkby. 

As well as removing an eyesore and reusing the land for development, this project will have real benefits for the town centre. Increasing the amount of people living in Kirkby’s town centre means more spending power, with local businesses feeling the positive impact.

Demolition is expected to be completed by the new year, allowing work to start on the new building. During the demolition, the wood, metal, bricks and concrete are separated out to be recycled and reused in the new build, wherever possible. 

The project is one piece of the Council’s wider aims of regenerating town centres across the District to attract more investment, support local businesses, provide more jobs for local people, more quality housing, and to improve quality of life.

Councillor Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said

“It’s fantastic to see progress on this project now with demolition well underway. This site has been steadily deteriorating over the years, and its central location made it one of the top contenders for our regeneration plans. The North Kirkby Gateway project will bring a wonderful new building looking out across the plaza, bringing new commercial and residential spaces right into our town centre. This will help increase footfall in the town centre and help frame the plaza, bringing more buzz and activity back to Kirkby.”

“This is yet another of our many regeneration projects moving through to delivery, helping make Ashfield a fantastic place to live, work, study, shop, and play.”

This project is one of 21 which are funded by the Council’s combined £70m Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund, that are changing the face of Ashfield for the better.

Langcroft Developments, in partnership with Ashfield District Council, will be remediating and developing the derelict Pond Hole site to provide 55 retirement and care units.

Posted on 11 November 2025