Pictured above: Caroline Presbury (Deli-licious) and Councillor Geoff Smith

Ten businesses have so far moved into empty shops in Ilkeston and Long Eaton with a helping hand from a special financial incentive.

People have set up shop using the Golden Hello scheme, a joint initiative between Erewash Borough Council and regeneration agency Erewash Partnership. 

Last September a £10,000 pot was set aside to help new shop owners from a £52,000 Community and Local Government grant to help revitalise the two town centres in the borough.

Grants are available to help people with start-up costs, including marketing, if they take on shops and other business premises in the town centres that are empty or soon to be vacant..

Caroline Presbury runs Deli-licious, a delicatessen and sandwich bar on Station Road, Long Eaton, which used to be a pet shop but had been empty for almost three years.

Formerly a van driver she worked in a deli and sandwich bar in Stapleford for 18 months before deciding to set up her own business which opened last November. Now she employs four people part-time.

She bought stock, found and refurbished the premises, with the landlord extending them to create a kitchen. 

"Business is absolutely brilliant, particularly at the end of the week," she said. "I do free delivery and many families seem to want to buy in home-made dishes on a Friday."

Caroline used her grant to buy supplies. "It came in really hand at an expensive time for me," she said.

Pictured above: Katherine Wall (Framed and Locked Up) and Councillor Geoff Smith

Framed and Locked Up opened at the lower end of Bath Street, Ilkeston, at the beginning of March in premises which had been empty for several months.

Owner Katherine Wall used to work at a similar business in the town but lost her job because of the owner's ill-health. She has 27 years experience of picture-framing, but also sells art materials, locks and keys and some hardware.

"My husband Alan is self-employed and having found nothing suitable at the Jobcentre I thought I would try to run my own business using my experience and knowledge built up over the years," she said

She spent her grant on marketing and stock. "I was extremely grateful for the help from the Golden Hello scheme," she said. "It gave me a good start."

Councillor Geoff Smith, borough council lead member for planning and regeneration, is delighted that the scheme has helped 10 businesses set up so far.

"As well as making good use of empty properties and boosting the street scene, the initiative has helped people fulfill dreams of owning businesses and even created jobs," he said. It's a win, win situation."

But with most of the grant money used, anybody wishing to set up and be helped by the scheme is being urged to apply to Erewash Partnership soon. Ring market-towns co-ordinator Paul Calladine on 0115 944 3944.