We know just how important The Grammar is to the community, and it’s just as important to us. That’s why we want to be open about the work that’s been carried out, the decisions made along the way, and what they mean for the building’s future.
The restoration of The Grammar is one of the most significant investments in Heanor in recent years, protecting a much-loved landmark while creating new opportunities for the community and local economy.
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the project, along with more detail on how it will benefit Heanor for years to come.
Use the drop-down menu below to view each question and answer.
The scheme is funded through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, managed by the (MHCLG) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government which aims to support town centres and reduce geographical inequalities across the UK. The scheme is also supported by additional co funding by Amber Valley Borough Council.
The FHSF scheme is a government initiative to support the transformational change of the town centre for the purpose of regeneration. The Heanor project includes public realm improvement on the Marketplace, the acquisition and restoration of the former Grammar School to deliver the mixed-use Heanor hub, and delivery of new affordable family homes in the town centre on Whysall Street.
Amber Valley Borough Council originally bid for over £12.8 million to deliver the entire Future High Street Fund project in Heanor. As well as the Marketplace and Whysall Street developments, this included the Heanor Hub project; which aimed to include the acquisition and restoration of The Grammar site, the demolition of the former Science Block, which would potentially have been replaced with a cinema and food and beverage outlets.
We were awarded £8,592,837 million, which meant the original plans for the Heanor Hub project had to be amended to respond to the available funding, this unfortunately meant that the replacement of the Science Block could not proceed.
Yes. The Future High Street fund scheme is supported by a total of £9,232,570 co funding, you can read full details on this on our website.
Alongside the Government funding, Amber Valley Borough Council committed over £1.2 million to the Heanor Hub project, ensuring the renovation of The Grammar could be completed and providing additional funds to support the wider project strands.
The project must meet specific government interventions to create transformational change in the town centre and deliver economic benefit. Project outputs are designed to generate a required benefit-cost ratio investment for the economy and meet specific outputs as follows.
To be delivered across the next three years:
Yes. We’ve kept MHCLG updated on our proposals, and no concerns have been raised.
This has not changed. The original plans outlined a mixed-use business and community hub that will be delivered.
One-third of The Grammar will be retained for community and SME/entrepreneurial business use. This will include the historic main hall, meeting room, and associated facilities, available for hire every evening Monday to Thursday and all day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
In addition to the hall and meeting room, there will be space available for businesses to lease or rent as appropriate. The business spaces will be available throughout the week at times to suit the needs of those using them.
The Triptych War Memorial for former students will also be reinstated in the main hall.
The public realm will be open to the public, and the community will be able enjoy the outdoor space at all times.
This space was designed to be a mixed-use space to include community elements, and business facilities. This is still the case.
When the project was first developed, plans included the redevelopment of the Science Block to provide a cinema, and food and beverage units. These elements were expected to generate rental income to support the building’s running costs.
However, the level of Government funding awarded was lower than the original bid, and rising costs meant the Council had to make difficult decisions about what could be delivered. As The Grammar is a Grade II listed building, priority was given to completing its full restoration to a high standard, rather than risk leaving both The Grammar and the Science Block unfinished.
The Science Block proposals have been deferred until further funding can be secured. This decision was reported through the Council’s Programme Board and published on the Council’s website from 2022 onwards.
The focus has therefore been on restoring The Grammar itself, while options for the Science Block and other facilities will continue to be explored as future opportunities arise.
The reduced level of funding meant we could not deliver all elements of the original plan, so the priority was to restore The Grammar and securing its long-term future.
Originally, income from the redeveloped Science Block, including proposals for a cinema and restaurants, was intended to support the estimated £100,000 of staffing costs for the management of The Grammar. There would also be significant additional costs including utilities, building maintenance, marketing and business rates.
Without this income stream, a long-term anchor tenant ensures the building is financially sustainable and does not risk falling back into decline.
We invited interest from public sector organisations through the One Public Estate programme, and Derbyshire County Council expressed interest in taking space at The Grammar. Importantly, a third of The Grammar will remain available for community and SME/entrepreneurial business use alongside any tenancy agreement.
No lease has yet been signed with DCC, and discussions are still ongoing.
Having Derbyshire County Council as a tenant helps to secure the long-term sustainability of The Grammar by ensuring the building does not risk becoming vacant again. Their presence also ensures that the building is financially sustainable, meaning it does not become a financial risk for all Amber Valley tax payers..
In addition, staff and visitors will bring extra footfall into Heanor, supporting local shops, cafes, and services. Jobs are safeguarded within the borough, and public money is saved as the County Council relocates from private sector accommodation.
This mix of uses not only protects the building but also contributes to the wider regeneration of Heanor.
This includes the historic main hall, meeting room, and associated facilities, which will be available for hire every evening from Monday to Thursday, and all day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
In addition, there will be spaces available for businesses to lease or rent within the standalone business hub (Baby Grammar). Unlike the hall and meeting room, these will be accessible throughout the week at times that suit those using them.
The vast majority of the external site will also remain fully accessible to the public seven days a week, including outdoor seating and the new public realm link from the Marketplace to the Memorial Park.
Our priority remains to safeguard the building’s future while ensuring it retains a strong and active community presence.
Yes. The main hall and community spaces will be available for community events every evening Monday to Thursday, as well as all day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Booking details will be published once they are finalised.
In addition, special dates of local importance such as Remembrance Commemorations will continue to be protected to ensure the building can play its part in community life.
Yes. We are planning open days and public tours so that people can come inside and see the restoration for themselves. The previously pencilled-in dates in August could not go ahead as we were waiting for approval of final completion.
Although the exterior has looked finished for a while, building control certification and final completion works were still taking place inside, which meant the site had to remain secure and fenced off to the public, as it has been throughout the project.
We’re now looking forward to proudly showcasing the work that has been done and sharing the building’s future with the community.
Yes. The restored Triptych war memorial will return to the main hall for the community to see, regardless of tenancy arrangements. Its preservation and protection have always been a key part of the project.
During weekdays the car park will mainly be used by tenants and their visitors. However, it is our intention that the pay and display car park will be open to the public from 6pm to 8am on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Cycle racks will be available for public use at all times.
The Council has secured funding to carry out a feasibility study, which will explore all possible future uses for the Science Block site. Any redevelopment will depend on securing additional funding, but the aim is to deliver on the wider Heanor Town Centre vision.
In the meantime, steps have been taken to protect the site, including removing the telecommunications tower and securing planning permission for demolition to enable regeneration in the future.
A cinema was part of the original vision for the Science Block, and it remains an option. Whether it can go ahead will depend on the outcome of the feasibility study and the availability of funding.
The Council is continuing discussions with cinema operators who have expressed interest in coming to Heanor once funding is secured. These remain interested however, no operator is in a position to deliver the full scheme alone, so further investment will be required.
The Grammar is owned by Amber Valley Borough Council, with funding from central government and the Council itself.
As with all council assets, The Grammar would transfer into any new authority created through Local Government Reorganisation.
Any new council structure will still require its assets to be sustainable, contribute to the local economy, support jobs, and provide space for the community and most importantly protect The Grammar for the future.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841496 or email thegrammar@ambervalley.gov.uk
